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Posted on May 31, 2026 9:00 pm | Updated on May 31, 2026 5:12 pm Arsenal’s Champions League final heartbreak told through Arteta’s own words.
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Arsenal lost the Champions League final to Paris Saint-Germain on penalties in Budapest. Mikel Arteta spoke out after the loss and said his side had missed their biggest chance of the season.
Arsenal pay the price in a penalty shootout
Arsenal had gone into the Champions League final with real belief after winning the Premier League title earlier in the season, their first league crown since 2004. As per ESPN, Kai Havertz gave them a bright start with a goal in the seventh minute at the Puskas Arena. But Ousmane Dembele scored from the penalty spot, and the match stayed level through 90 minutes and into extra time.
When the shootout came, Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Magalhaes both missed their kicks, and PSG lifted the cup. It was a hard end to a football season that had promised so much for the north London side. Arsenal had gone further in Europe than they had in two decades, and walking away with nothing from Budapest will hurt for a long time.
Arsenal’s Champions League journey under Mikel Arteta, as per UEFA:
Season Stage reached Exit / result Manager
2025-26 Final Lost to PSG on penalties Mikel Arteta
2024-25 Semi-final Lost to PSG Mikel Arteta
2023-24 Quarter-final Lost to Bayern Munich Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta proud but honest about what was lost
After the final whistle, Arteta did not try to hide his hurt. He told reporters he was proud of every player but made clear the club had let a huge chance slip. As per Football London, he said: “we missed out on the biggest one” Arteta also put the result in context, noting that Arsenal had only reached this stage for the second time in their history and had never won the European Cup.
He said that no one could take the pain away in that moment, but insisted the season still deserved to be praised. Winning the Premier League title after a 20-year wait was a big achievement in itself. But in football, nights like Budapest show where a club truly stands among Europe’s best, and Arsenal came up short when it mattered most.
Mikel Arteta convinced Arsenal were denied a clear penalty
One moment from extra time stayed with Arteta well after the final whistle. Substitute Noni Madueke ran down the right side and looked to get past PSG defender Nuno Mendes before both players fell inside the area. The referee, along with VAR, decided no penalty should be given. Arteta was clear when asked about the call.
As per Fabrizio Romano, he said: “I watched it back and you can visibly see a penalty.” He also pointed to how officials had judged similar incidents earlier in the competition this season, suggesting the decision did not align with earlier calls in the tournament. As per CAUGHTOFFSIDE, Arteta also raised a separate call involving Mosquera, making it clear he felt the officials did not apply the same standard across the match.
It is clear Mikel Arteta felt his team were denied at the worst possible moment. For Arsenal, that decision will stay a painful talking point as they look back on a season that brought so much joy but ended without the top prize in club football.
Author’s Opinion
Arsenal were the better side for long stretches of this final. Losing on penalties feels cruel, but the Mosquera decision and the Madueke shout were the real turning points. Arteta has built something special at this club. This defeat will hurt, but it should also fuel what comes next season.
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Deepanjali Bhardwaj
Deepanjali Bhardwaj is a Sports Writer at Six Sports, covering both football and cricket with a focus on match developments, player performances, and key talking points across the two sports. Her work combines timely reporting with clear analysis, helping readers stay informed about major matches, tournaments, and emerging storylines in the football and cricket landscape. Through her coverage at Six Sports, Deepanjali contributes match reports, analytical pieces, and feature stories that highlight important moments, team strategies, and standout player performances across domestic and international competitions.
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