PSG star verbally dismantles Arsenal after crushing Champions League final defeat

A Paris Saint-Germain star slammed Arsenal after the Gunners’ brutal penalty shootout defeat in the Champions League final.

When Kai Havertz put Arsenal ahead after six minutes, Gunners fans may have thought it was finally their time to lift Europe’s premier club prize. However, it simply wasn’t to be, as Luis Enrique’s PSG became just the second club to retain the trophy after Real Madrid.

Despite Arsenal appearing solid in defence for most of the match, PSG found an opening in the second half when Cristhian Mosquera was adjudged to have fouled Georgian winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in the penalty area, leading to a penalty being awarded.

Ousmane Dembélé stepped up and made no mistake from 12 yards to level the scores.

PSG enjoyed most of the possession for the remainder of the second half and extra time, but they could not make their dominance count as the match drifted towards a dreaded penalty shootout.

Eberechi Eze was the first to miss before Nuno Mendes saw his attempt saved by David Raya.

Declan Rice smashed home Arsenal’s third penalty before Gabriel Martinelli converted their fourth.

Then came the decisive spot-kicks, with Lucas Beraldo slotting home PSG’s fifth, meaning defender Gabriel Magalhães had to score to keep Arsenal alive.

But the Brazilian could only blast his penalty over the bar and, in doing so, handed the French side their second European triumph.

Gabriel was visibly upset in the moments after his miss and was consoled by PSG defender and Brazil team-mate Marquinhos.

PSG star hits out at Arsenal's tactics

However, Marquinhos’ team-mate João Neves was less sympathetic in his post-match assessment of Arsenal’s conservative style of play.

The Portugal international has been a mainstay in PSG’s side since arriving from Benfica in 2024.

After saying he was “loving” life in the French capital, Neves made clear what he thought of Arsenal’s tactics.

“The emotion is there,” he said. “It’s the second time I’ve been a champion of Europe. It’s not even the victory that makes me happy, but playing with such team-mates, staff and management. Coming here was the best choice I’ve made in my life. I love everything here.

“We deserved it today because PSG were the only team who wanted to play.

“I’m very happy for the group and for everything we’ve done this season. It was even more difficult because we had to defend our title.

“There was a lot of fatigue, but when you play in a final, you have to forget everything and give it your all.”

PSG boss Enrique also claimed his side were worthy winners.

“We deserved that,” he said. “It was very tough and difficult, but we deserved it.

“Congratulations to Arsenal. It was very tough. They played great. It’s normal. They tried to take the match into phases in which they are strongest. We tried to control the ball and press, and we have won the title.”