Champions League: What Arteta told Arsenal players in dressing room after PSG defeat

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed his deep affection for the squad after the team’s Champions League final loss to Paris Saint‑Germain on Saturday.

The Gunners missed out on the competition for the first time in their history, with the match ending in a penalty shoot‑out.

Kai Havertz gave Arsenal an early advantage with a goal in the fifth minute, but PSG levelled through Ousmane Dembélé from the spot.

The game was ultimately decided by penalties, where Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Magalhães missed their attempts.

Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice was asked about Arteta’s mood in the dressing room after the match.

Rice said: “He’s gutted, we’re all gutted. It’s a Champions League final. The emotions and stakes are so high. It’s cruel, that’s football.”

“He spoke about how much he loves us as a group this season, what we have done, how we’ve been 100 every game and everything that’s been thrown at us.”