"If we want to win this tournament, we need to find out what the key is to open that door. Sometimes you have to applaud your opponent."

Arsenal lost 1-2 to PSG in the second leg of the semifinals of the 2024-2025 UEFA Champions League held at Parc des Princes in Paris, France, on the 8th (Korea time). Arsenal, who lost 0-1 to Ousmane Dembélé in the first leg at home, was eliminated with a total score of 1-3.

Arsenal lined up in a 4-3-3 formation on the day. Gabriel Martinelli, Mikel Merino, and Bukayo Saka formed the attacking trio, while Declan Rice, Thomas Partey, and Martin Ødegaard made up the midfield. Myles Lewis Skelly, Jakub Kiwior, William Saliba, andJurriën Timber were the back four, with David Raya donning the goalkeeper gloves.

PSG also lined up in a 4-3-3 formation. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Désiré Due, and Bradley Barcola occupied the front line, with Fabian Ruiz, Vitinha, and João Neves in the midfield. Nuno Mendes, Wilian Pacho, Marquinhos, and Achraf Hakimi formed the back four. Gianluigi Donnarumma guarded the goal. Lee Kang-in was on the bench.

In the early first half, Arsenal shook PSG with quick pressure. In the 8th minute, Ødegaard's long-range shot was saved by Donnarumma, leaving disappointment, and although Saka and Martinelli actively moved along the flanks, a decisive shot did not materialize.

The opening goal belonged to PSG. In the 27th minute, a free kick won by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia deflected off a defender, and Fabian Ruiz shook the net with a powerful shot.

In the second half, Arsenal attempted to fight back but could not overcome Donnarumma's wall. In the 19th minute, Saka's sharp shot was tipped by Donnarumma, and in the subsequent PSG counterattack, a handball by Lewis Skelly was declared after a VAR review. However, Raya saved Vitinha's penalty kick, keeping hope alive.

Hope did not last long. In the 27th minute of the second half, Dembélé's pass to Hakimi was completed by Hakimi with his right foot, scoring PSG's second goal.

Arsenal managed to score a consolation goal in the 31st minute with Saka's strike. However, in the 35th minute, Saka's crucial shot went over the crossbar, tilting the balance of the match.

In the end, Arsenal was eliminated with a total score of 1-3, putting an end to their dream of reaching the Champions League final. In a situation where they had also fallen behind in the league title race, the exit from the European stage felt like an even more painful result.

After the match, the UEFA Champions League reported via its official website on an interview with manager Mikel Arteta. In an interview with 'TNT Sports', Arteta said, "First of all, I congratulate PSG on reaching the final. Looking back at both matches, I think their best player was the goalkeeper. He changed the flow of this matchup."

He noted, "We came really close, and the contest was much fiercer than the result showed. I'm very proud of the players' performance, and I'm proud of how we handled today's game and the pressure."

He added, "I feel a great sense of pride seeing our team play like this against one of the best teams in Europe, PSG. What we did today is truly remarkable. If we want to win this tournament, we need to find out what the key is to open that door. Sometimes you have to applaud your opponent. The goalkeeper took the match in both games."

Manager Arteta spoke about the team's growth, saying, "I'm really proud. No one expected it, but we have come so close. Just two years ago, there was no one who believed we could even qualify for the Champions League, but we have come this far."

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