Arteta Laments Fine Margins After Arsenal’s 1-0 Defeat to PSG in Champions League Semi-Final
The Gunners were left to rue several wasted chances on a tense night in North London, where a single goal from PSG proved decisive.
Arsenal Manager reacting after Arsenal lost 1-0 to PSG in the UEFA Champions League. Photo/Getty Images.
By Robert Assad
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has expressed his frustration over missed opportunities and fine margins following his side’s narrow 1-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners were left to rue several wasted chances on a tense night in North London, where a single goal from PSG proved decisive. Speaking after the match, Arteta pointed to moments that could have changed the outcome.
“It’s millimetres offside — Martinelli was one-on-one and the keeper makes a big save. Leo Trossard is completely one-on-one… That’s the margin in a semi-final!” the Arsenal boss told reporters, visibly disappointed with the result.
Despite controlling large spells of the game, Arsenal failed to convert their dominance into goals. Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard both found themselves with golden opportunities but were denied by fine margins and some excellent goalkeeping from PSG’s Gianluigi Donnarumma.
PSG’s disciplined defensive display and clinical finishing at the other end saw them snatch the vital away victory, giving them the advantage ahead of the second leg in Paris next week.
Arteta, however, remains hopeful that his side can turn things around in the return fixture. “We created enough to get something tonight. Now it’s about preparing well and believing we can go there and do the job,” he added.
The result leaves Arsenal with work to do if they are to reach their first Champions League final since 2006. They will need to overturn the deficit at the Parc des Princes in what promises to be a high-stakes second leg.
For now, the North London club must regroup quickly as they continue their fight on both European and domestic fronts.
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