Mikel Arteta looks on during the Champions League final between Arsenal and PSG
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Mikel Arteta faces the media after Arsenal’s Champions League final clash with PSG
Mikel Arteta looks on during the Champions League final between Arsenal and PSG (Photo by Marvin Ibo Guengoer - GES Sportfoto/Getty Images)
Mikel Arteta faces the media after Arsenal's clash with PSG in the UEFA Champions League final. Beaten on penalties in agonising circumstances, Arteta’s job is to now pick his players up.
Having had to make some big calls regarding his selection, there was also going to be scrutiny in the back line. But there were heroic defensive efforts, and at the other end, the call to start Kai Havertz paid off again, with his early goal finding the opener in clinical fashion.
Arteta was consistently frustrated by the referee’s calls, but could do little to complain about the penalty decision after Cristhian Mosquera’s foul on Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. However, what certainly was up for debate was when Noni Madueke thought he had earned his side a spot kick, only to see the claims waved away.
After 120 minutes, however, the teams could not be separated, and up next came the penalty shootout. Losing the coin toss and having to take penalties in front of the PSG fans, Arteta stood calling for one last effort from his supporters at the other end, arms raised, hoping for a miracle that sadly did not come.
Updates from the Arsenal manager to follow in our football.london live blog...
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Hello and welcome to football.london's post-match press conference live blog.
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