It was quite the contrast for Arsenal, from the jubilant scenes after defeating reigning championsReal Madridto the downcast mood surrounding the same team less than a month later.
The Gunners had been defeated 3-1 at the hands of Luis Enrique’s Paris Saint-Germain with the scoreline 2-1 in France.
Arsenal had early chances, but it was PSG who took the lead through Fabian Ruiz. The visitors doubled their lead through Achraf Hakimi after missing a penalty.
Bukayo Saka pulled one back for the Gunners, however, they will remain trophyless and face the daunting task of travelling to Anfield at the weekend.
What were the key talking points from theParc Des Princes?
The Gunners will go without silverware for another season
Football is a strange game. Mikel Arteta has won a singular major trophy at Arsenal, with a team the shadow of the group of players he has at his disposal now. The likes of David Luiz and Skhodran Mustafi have lifted more silverware than **William Saliba**and Martin Ødegaard.
There is a fear that the Gunners are rather similar to Mauricio Pochettino’s Spurs team of the 2010s; close but not close enough.
Arteta’s cup record is not particularly flattering either. He has only come out victorious in one semi-final, and that was in the FA Cup run that saw him lift his first and only major trophy as Arsenal manager.
However, it must be said that the North Londoners have pushed Manchester City to their limit in recent campaigns. They have come within five points of the Citizens in the previous two seasons, before both sides had a plunge in performance levels during the current crusade.
How do Arsenal take that next step and start challenging for honours on a more regular basis?
Arsenal must address attacking areas in the summer
Mikel Merino has been a commendable stop-gap in the Arsenal attack, but he is simply not a striker. The former Sociedad midfielder lacks the clinicality of a seasoned striker.
Arsenal had 19 efforts on the PSG net but only converted one. An elite striker would have found better positions and provided an outlet. However, that is not the only deficiency in the final third facing Arteta and Andrea Berta.
Marquinhos of Paris Saint-Germain is challenged by Gabriel Martinelli (David Ramos/GettyImages)
Marquinhos of Paris Saint-Germain is challenged by Gabriel Martinelli (David Ramos/GettyImages)
The Gunners lack the pizzazz that flowed through their veins in previous campaigns. Arteta has made his side harder to score against, but it has cost his side the expressive nature of their football. Gabriel Martinelli looks scared to take on his man, and Ødegaard’s impact on games has waned.
Harsh decisions need to be made in the summer, and fresh players and ideas need to be implemented to the core group of players.
The Gunners lack courage
Arsenal have had a great run in this season’s Champions League, but the lack of courage shown has impacted the way they approach matches.
Although the North Londoners had 19 shots on goal, that total could have been in the thirties if the visitors let fly at Gianluigi Donnarumma. Keeping the ball is good, but possession does not win football matches.
The Gunners were also passive after the first 20 minutes. It was only when David Raya saved Vitinha’s penalty that the Gunners kicked back into life.
They should take some inspiration from their hosts. PSG were not afraid to take risks, and they paid off. Would Martinelli have shot from the same angle as Ousmane Dembele did when the Frenchman opened the scoring in the first leg?
While Arsenal have been faltering in the Premier League, they have been dragged back into a top-five battle. The Gunners could still conceivably finish in seventh place.
A loss at Liverpool could prove fatal, but the Reds have nothing to play for. Chelsea capitalised on this, securing a 3-1 win last weekend.
Arteta’s men also host Newcastle, as well as taking on already relegated Southampton.