Arteta Confirms PSG Is the Best Team in the World

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said that Paris Saint‑Germain are the best team in the world after his side lost the Champions League final on penalties on Saturday.

After a 1‑1 draw in extra time, PSG secured a second straight Champions League title with a 4‑3 shoot‑out win.

Arteta admitted feeling “pain” and acknowledged that Arsenal, who won the Premier League this season, were not on the same level as the French champions, who dominated possession throughout the match.

“I want to congratulate PSG, Luis (Enrique, the coach) in particular, because in my opinion they are the best in the world,” Arteta told reporters in Budapest.

“What they are able to do with the ball, with individual actions, I haven’t seen it before, and it’s not a plan to play in certain scenarios when you don’t have the ball but they force you to do that. So even more praise to the players.”

Arsenal managed less than 25 percent possession, defending resolutely against repeated PSG pressure.

The Ligue 1 winners matched the record of 45 goals in a Champions League campaign when Ousmane Dembélé converted a second‑half penalty to level Kai Havertz’s early opener for Arsenal.

Arteta was disappointed that Arsenal winger Noni Madueke was not awarded a penalty when the score was 1‑1, but he said the team still needed to improve if they are to win the competition.

It was Arsenal’s second appearance in a Champions League final, 20 years after their first loss to Barcelona in Paris.

Since taking charge nearly seven years ago, Arteta has guided Arsenal back to the top of English football, winning the league after a 22‑year wait, yet he stressed that further change is required.

“The same progression that we had in the last few years, we’re going to have to do that over again, and the level is increasing every single season,” the Spanish coach explained.

“You have to go through that pain (from tonight), digest it and turn it into fuel to improve and to reach a different level, because it demands a different level with the quality that is around Europe.”

AFP

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