Mikel Arteta blasted by fans for one decision he made in PSG defeat that has left everybody baffled

Mikel Arteta has been criticised by fans over one key decision he made during Arsenal's 2-1 Champions League semi-final second leg defeat to PSG.

The Gunners crashed out of Europe via a 3-1 aggregate scoreline over two legs, despite causing PSG plenty of problems in Paris on Wednesday night.

Arsenal started the game exceptionally well and could have been 2-0 up if not for the heroics of Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Arteta's side pressed high and prompted unforced errors from the PSG defence in possession, but could not take advantage of their early dominance.

PSG grew into the game and took a first half lead through Fabian Ruiz's deflected strike from outside the area.

Luis Enrique's side were a constant threat on the counter attack and, as the game opened up in the second half, they created more chances.

After Vitinha missed a penalty awarded for a handball by Myles Lewis-Skelly, PSG made it 2-0 through Achraf Hakimi's strike.

But Arsenal fans criticised Arteta for not taking over Lewis-Skelly, who was playing an inverted left-back role, earlier on before the penalty.

RAYA SAVES IT!

David Raya gets down quickly and saves Vitinha's penalty to keep Arsenal alive in the tie 👏

📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/INxWgld05Z

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 7, 2025

The targeting of Lewis-Skelly - who has had a superb season - was clearly part of PSG's gameplan, as he was surrounded by opposition midfielders every time he received the ball in the centre of the pitch.

That led to Arsenal losing the ball on a number of occasions, with such a scenario continuing to happen without change well into the second half.

Arteta replaced the 18-year-old with Riccardo Calafiori but, by that point, Arsenal were 3-0 down and effectively out of the tie.

Reacting to the Spaniard's decision on Twitter, one fan wrote: "Any sensible coach makes the sub as early as the 50th minute."

A second wrote: "Lewis-Skelly was struggling since the first half but Arteta decided to leave him on the pitch."

A third added: "Arteta has not improved in reacting to games early. The second half should have seen Martinelli and Lewis-Skelly on the bench."