“Pain” was the first word out of Mikel Arteta’s mouth when asked how he would sum up Arsenal’s Champions League final defeat to Paris St-Germain in Budapest.
Arsenal, unbeaten in the Champions League heading into Saturday’s final, missed out on becoming European invincibles following their penalty shootout defeat.
The Gunners lacked attacking quality as PSG dominated with 75% possession before eventually winning on penalties after centre-back Gabriel skied his spot-kick.
It was Arsenal’s first Champions League final since 2006, and they fell at the final hurdle in their pursuit of a first European trophy.
“It is very tough to accept when you are so consistent all the way to the final and in the end you lose the trophy on penalties,” Arteta said after the match.
The Arsenal manager also referenced a second-half incident in which Noni Madueke tangled with Nuno Mendes, arguing it should have resulted in a penalty for his side.
“I watched all the penalties in the competition in the last 72 hours to understand what a penalty is and what is not, and that easily can be a penalty,” the Spaniard said.
“We need to do better, we have to improve and find different margins to get the outcome that we want,” he added, already looking ahead to next season.
Arteta confirmed he would take time with his family before beginning a full review of the squad and making decisions about the club’s transfer strategy.
“We’ll start to make some very important decisions if we want to reach another level,” he said, with a midfielder, left winger and striker all reported as summer targets.
Arsenal spent around £250m in last summer’s transfer window and are expected to invest significantly again as they bid to compete at the highest level.
“They are 100% not going away,” said Nedum Onuoha, speaking to BBC Sport, pointing to the club’s consistent progress over recent seasons.
“Even though they have lost they are still one of the best teams in Europe,” Onuoha added, underlining the Gunners’ standing on the continental stage.
Despite the disappointment, Arsenal will still celebrate their Premier League title win on Sunday with an open-top bus parade in north London.
“If you’d offered them at the start of the season – that they would win the Premier League title and lose the Champions League final by a penalty kick, then it is not a bad season, it is a great season and I mean a really great season,” Pat Nevin told BBC Sport.
“I think the club is in a great position, the manager has been there for many years now and he has a bunch of players who are still very very hungry, even though they have been successful,” Onuoha said.
European football expert Julien Laurens was equally bullish about Arsenal’s future prospects, insisting their Champions League success is only a matter of time.
“It is cruel for Arsenal fans, but it is inevitable that this club win the Champions League,” Laurens said on 5 Live, adding that “Arsenal are getting closer and closer.”
Bukayo Saka is the last remaining player from the squad Arteta inherited in 2019, and the manager said it has been a “joy” to share this season with his players and staff.
A group of exciting youngsters, including 19-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly, Ethan Nwaneri, and 16-year-olds Max Dowman and Marli Salmon, could all emerge as first-team regulars in the seasons ahead.
“It hurts a lot for them not to win it today because I can’t even imagine what would have happened,” Arteta said of the fans, before confirming his expectation of a memorable parade on Sunday.
