Arsenal were knocked out of the Champions League after a 3-1 aggregate loss to Paris Saint-Germain, marking another painful semi-final exit for Mikel Arteta’s team. The second leg in Paris on Tuesday night saw the Gunners fall short despite a spirited performance, as PSG advanced to the final to face Inter Milan in Munich.
Arteta had spoken confidently about making history, but instead, Arsenal added to a growing list of European disappointments. As the final whistle blew at Parc des Princes, the French crowd celebrated while Arsenal’s players stood frozen, their hopes dashed once again on the continental stage.
Another European Exit Adds to Arsenal’s Trophy Drought
Arsenal’s last major trophy came in 2020, when Arteta guided the club to an FA Cup win. Since then, despite significant investment and an improving squad, they have failed to turn promise into silverware. With their exit in Paris, Arsenal have now gone five full seasons without a title.
For elite clubs, progress is measured by trophies. Arteta’s vision of long-term growth now faces intense scrutiny. While there is no talk of immediate managerial change, expectations are rising. Each season without a major win adds to the pressure, and narratives about development no longer suffice. Arsenal need results.
Strong Squad, But Results Don’t Match Talent
Arsenal’s current squad includes standout names like Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, Declan Rice, and young talent Myles Lewis-Skelly. But talent alone is not enough at the top level. Great teams win trophies—and Arsenal have not.
After a poor first-leg showing at home, Arsenal faced an uphill task in Paris. Ousmane Dembélé had already scored in London, and PSG capitalized on that momentum. In the return leg, Arsenal pressed hard, but PSG’s goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was in top form. He denied Gabriel Martinelli and Ødegaard with spectacular saves early in the match.
PSG Advance, Arsenal Face More Questions
PSG’s fans revealed a striking banner before kickoff: “55 years of memory behind you to write history.” The message was clear—and so was PSG’s intent. Fabian Ruiz and Achraf Hakimi scored to put the tie beyond reach. Although Saka managed a late goal for Arsenal, it was not enough to change the outcome.
This marks Arsenal’s fourth semi-final exit in recent years across European and domestic competitions. It is a painful pattern for a club desperate to reclaim its place among Europe’s elite. Tuesday’s game was Arsenal’s 201st in the Champions League—more than any other team without ever winning the trophy.
Rice: “It’s Not Good Enough”
Midfielder Declan Rice spoke candidly after the match. “We’re desperate to win. That’s why we play. We’ve been close, but it’s not good enough,” he said. Rice acknowledged the team’s effort but stressed that results matter more than potential.
He promised that the team will come back stronger next season, but fans are growing tired of near-misses. The disappointment in Paris reflects a season that has failed to live up to early hopes.
Arteta Must Now Turn Promise Into Proof
Arteta defended his team’s progress, noting that Arsenal’s point totals in recent seasons would have won league titles in previous years. However, this argument does not account for the realities of current competition. This year, Arsenal’s title challenge faded quickly, and their Champions League hopes ended in frustration.
Arteta has built a capable team, but key flaws remain. Most notably, Arsenal still lack a proven goal-scorer. Last summer’s failure to sign a top striker has now proven costly.
Small Mistakes, Big Consequences
In the second leg, small errors made a big difference. Thomas Partey’s weak clearance led directly to Ruiz’s opener. Minutes later, a giveaway by Partey helped PSG score their second. These are the fine margins that define success at the elite level.
Mikel Merino worked hard in attack, but he lacked the cutting edge needed to turn early pressure into goals. Without a clinical striker, Arsenal could not make their dominance count.
Lack of Cutting Edge Still Haunts Arsenal
A former Arsenal defender summed it up on radio commentary: “When PSG break, you think they’ll score. Arsenal don’t have that same threat.” The identity of the analyst was not confirmed, but the sentiment reflects a growing consensus—Arsenal need to fix their attack to take the next step.
Unless the club invests in a top-level forward this summer, they may continue to fall short.
Arsenal have come far under Arteta, but coming close is no longer enough. The pressure is rising to deliver a trophy. Fans, players, and the manager know it: next season must bring silverware. The foundation is there, but the final piece is missing.