Arsenal supervisor Mikel Arteta argued his group have been the strongest facet on this season’s Champions League following their semi-final elimination by the hands of Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday – a declare swiftly shut down by counterpart Luis Enrique.
Arteta’s facet slipped to a 1-0 defeat at Emirates Stadium within the first leg of the semi-final and did not overturn that deficit within the return leg in Paris, with a 2-1 reverse dumping them out the competitors and making certain they’ll finish one other season with out main silverware.
Regardless of the disappointing defeat, Arteta got here out firing after the sport, insisting no facet got here near matching Arsenal‘s stage within the Champions League this season.
“I do not assume there’s been a greater group within the competitors from what I’ve seen,” Arteta instructed TNT Sports activities.
In his post-match press convention, Arteta went so far as to say these on the PSG bench had admitted the Gunners have been the higher of the 2 sides.
“I’m saying that as a result of [PSG] simply instructed me that,” he stated when requested if he was sticking to his declare that one of the best group had misplaced. “At the moment, I see how a lot my gamers needed it as a result of they have been in tears.”
Arteta’s feedback weren’t well-received by a lot of outstanding figures, specifically PSG supervisor Luis Enrique, who was among the many first to query the Arsenal supervisor’s claims.
“I do not agree in any respect,” stated Enrique. “Mikel Arteta is a good pal, however I do not agree in any respect.
“They performed in a intelligent means, however within the two legs we scored greater than them and that’s the most necessary factor in soccer. Arsenal performed a fantastic match, and we suffered, however we deserved to get to the ultimate.”
Legendary former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, working as a pundit for beIN SPORTS, sided with Enrique: “Total, within the two video games, I might say [PSG] have been higher than Arsenal, had extra probabilities and have been by no means actually in peril, so congratulations to Paris Saint-Germain.”
PSG midfielder Joao Neves was adamant the Ligue 1 champions “have been the higher group”, however respectfully paid tribute to the Gunners’ efforts by including “Arsenal are a really robust group, numerous particular person high quality and as a group.”
