How PSG Triumphed Over…

BUDAPEST, Hungary — Paris Saint-Germain celebrated consecutive Champions League victories after triumphing in a tense penalty shootout against Arsenal. The match concluded in a 1-1 tie following extra time at the Puskas Arena, leading to the shootout, where Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Magalhães failed to convert their penalties.

After clinching their inaugural Champions League title last year with a 5-0 victory over Internazionale in Munich, PSG has entered the record books as only the second team, after Real Madrid, to defend their Champions League title since the competition’s restructuring in 1992.

Arsenal struck first in the sixth minute with a goal from Kai Havertz, but PSG responded in the second half with a penalty converted by Ousmane Dembélé. Although the Ligue 1 champions controlled much of the match, they struggled to secure a lead until the penalty shootout.

In the shootout, Eze’s shot went wide, and David Raya managed to save a penalty from Nuno Mendes, while Gabriel contrived to send his attempt soaring over the crossbar, handing PSG a 4-3 shootout victory and marking coach Luis Enrique’s third triumph in the Champions League as a manager. — Mark Ogden

---

A Just Outcome…

The match can be analyzed through various incidents: Nuno Mendes’ collision with Noni Madueke, Bukayo Saka narrowly being beaten to the ball, and the drama surrounding the penalty shootout where unpredictability reigns supreme. Each of these factors could have favored Arsenal, yet none did, highlighting the fine margins that often define low-scoring matches.

However, the overall impression and statistics tell a different narrative. PSG showcased their ability to control the match, engaging actively and effectively in play, embodying the very essence of football. Possession statistics revealed a staggering 74%, alongside 21 attempts on goal compared to Arsenal’s 7. The expected goals metric stood at 1.77 (for PSG) versus 0.44 (for Arsenal). Notably, PSG’s goalkeeper, Safonov, was largely untroubled, facing only a single on-target shot from Havertz.

While PSG were not without their challenges, the early Arsenal goal and a congested midfield led to some difficulties in the first half. Nevertheless, the team adjusted their tactics effectively.

Desire Doue shifted into a central role, allowing Ousmane Dembélé to find space and creativity before his late injury. Joao Neves displayed adaptability alongside Vitinha, providing needed passing outlets as Arsenal employed a low block, effectively countering their press. The introduction of a fresh Bradley Barcola also created transition opportunities against a fatigued William Saliba.

Beyond substitutions, PSG exuded confidence and experience, showcasing a mental resilience that comes from previous successes, such as their win against Inter just one year prior. On this occasion, only unforeseen randomness and misfortune could defeat them, which on Saturday night, decided not to interfere. — Gab Marcotti

…But Arsenal Had the Right Strategy

Honesty compels us to acknowledge that Arsenal approached their game strategically. They capitalized on an early stroke of luck and a brilliant goal from Havertz to dictate the game’s tempo, aiming to consume as much time as possible and compel PSG to exhaust their energy in pursuit of an equalizer. In such matches, an open style tends to tilt in favor of the more skilled team.

Despite taking until the 70th minute for PSG to equalize, with both Kvaratskhelia and Dembélé substituted out towards the end of regulation, Arsenal seemed to have executed their plan effectively, especially considering Raya’s crucial save that sent the match to penalties.

Nevertheless, PSG appeared more likely to find a winning goal before the shootout, largely thanks to the influence of Vitinha, who dominated the midfield. He played the majority of the match while accumulating the most touches, completed passes, involved carries, and shot attempts, though none resulted in goals.

Vitinha efficiently orchestrated the tempo, ensuring PSG maintained spatial advantage and rarely found themselves exposed during transitions. Arsenal did manage to limit the quality of PSG’s opportunities, with Raya’s performance in net being instrumental in prolonging the match. But ultimately, Vitinha played a pivotal role. — Bill Connelly

Arsenal’s Squad Depth Falls Slightly Short

The crux of Arsenal’s substantial £250 million investment in eight new players last summer was to equip coach Mikel Arteta with the necessary resources to compete at the highest level. The final against PSG marked their 63rd game of an arduous season, one that tested their limits — Arteta made six lineup changes, including an entirely new attacking front. Yet, he still had to rely on Piero Hincapié struggling with injury during extra time, with no remaining substitutions available. 

Ultimately, they fell just short of achieving European glory by the narrowest of margins.

Given how this squad is assembled, the focus shifted to Arteta’s capability in managing it. After securing the Premier League title and reaching the Champions League Final for the first time in 20 years, Arteta has ample grounds for validation. In retrospect, however, he might express regret over the absence of first-choice penalty takers on the field during the decisive moments.

By substituting Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard, and Kai Havertz, Arsenal lost access to four likely penalty takers. Gabriel Magalhães might have never intended to take the fifth penalty, and yet when considering it, Arsenal can nonetheless reflect on the progress they’ve made in Europe while recognizing areas that need improvement could be relatively minor.

There may be merit in refining their quality in the final third. — James Olley

PSG Seemed Better Prepared for Penalties

As matches transition to penalty shootouts, the psychological aspect becomes paramount. Discussions emerge regarding the mental state of players during spot kicks.

The contrast between David Raya and his PSG counterpart Matvey Safonov was apparent, as Raya actively engaged with the Arsenal players during penalties, encouraging them individually while collecting the ball. This attention to mental fortitude is a contributor to marginal gains in intense situations.

If Arsenal had succeeded in the shootout, the narrative may have shifted dramatically. Yet currently, it’s vital to note that only one of the five players who had converted penalties for Arsenal in the last two seasons, Viktor Gyökeres, was still on the pitch by the end of the match. The others, including Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Martin Odegaard, and Leandro Trossard, had all been substituted by the time extra-time commenced.

Despite Arteta’s belief in his remaining players, it’s also evident that Declan Rice, Gabriel Martinelli, and Gyökeres all executed excellent penalties. However, Eze and Gabriel struggled; Eze’s attempt was mishit, while Gabriel’s shot sailed over the bar. Conversely, PSG’s players exhibited calm and precision, converting their penalties with conviction, even the one saved by Raya.

The outcome hinges on fine margins, and navigating these subtle details makes a monumental difference. — Marcotti

Luis Enrique Joins the Elite Ranks with Third Win

Luis Enrique has now entered the elite circle of coaches with three or more European Cups / Champions League titles, having led PSG to their second success in the tournament.

Currently, only Carlo Ancelotti, with five titles (achieved with AC Milan and Real Madrid), sits ahead of Enrique in the Champions League Hall of Fame. Pep Guardiola (two with Barcelona and one with Manchester City), Zinedine Zidane (Real Madrid), and Bob Paisley (Liverpool) now share the same accolade as Luis Enrique, who clinched his first Champions League title with Barcelona in 2015.

The challenge that lies ahead for Enrique is to secure a fourth title and potentially catch Ancelotti’s record total of five.

Guardiola has departed from management after leaving Manchester City, and Zidane is anticipated to follow Ancelotti’s path into international management by taking charge of the French national team post-World Cup. This could leave Luis Enrique in a strong position to dominate with his outstanding PSG team in the forthcoming years.— Ogden

History-Making for the Winners

Mikel Arteta’s repeated calls for his team to “write a new chapter” in their storied legacy have been fulfilled domestically, but their quest for European glory continues.

Two decades after their last final appearance, this Arsenal team pushed closer than Arsène Wenger’s squad by forcing the match into penalties, and interestingly, they remain unbeaten during regulation time in Europe this season, conceding only seven goals.

The pressing question is whether this tactical approach represents a sustainable path for Arsenal moving forward.

Havertz’s goal may have set the tone for the match, yet all season long, the Gunners relied on their adept defensive capabilities to maintain their results. Both Gabriel and William Saliba have been pillars in that strategy, making it particularly poignant that Gabriel, in missing the decisive penalty, faced disappointment.

But moving forward, if Arsenal aims to build upon this near success, secure domestic dominance, and finally clinch the Champions League, a shift towards a more attacking philosophy may be worth considering. PSG’s commanding performance serves as a reminder. The recent Premier League title win may embolden Arsenal to explore their expansive offensive potential.

Observing Arteta’s decisions in the upcoming season will be intriguing as he navigates these considerations. Having come so close to achieving their goal, Arteta may feel inclined to stay his course. — Olley

A Note on João Neves

In the tightly contested final, João Neves showcased his remarkable versatility by not only contributing throughout the match but also excelling in every aspect, except for the penalty shootout. Reports humorously suggest he might still be sprinting through Budapest, chasing the ball and following Arsenal players with unyielding energy.

At just 21, Neves has added another Champions League medal to his collection, significantly impacting PSG’s victory, even more so than the previous season. The final was characterized by its high stakes and tension, necessitating a different strategy, and Neves rose to the occasion, making him invaluable. His impressive stats included 111 touches, an 88% passing rate, six recoveries, winning 77% of ground duels and 60% of aerial challenges, alongside 18 key touches within Arsenal’s box. He exemplifies the ideal team player, showcasing exceptional intelligence and awareness.

Among the recruits of recent years, his contribution has proved pivotal. Perhaps we should consider renaming him “Jewel” Neves? — Julien Laurens

Time-Wasting Impacts Arsenal’s Reputation

While Arsenal’s strong showing this season, including their Premier League title, demonstrates their capabilities, their penchant for time-wasting tarnishes their reputation. Mikel Arteta’s squad has not been renowned for their visual appeal — it’s clear they’ve mastered the art of defending this season.

Unfortunately, they displayed a tendency to halt play through time-wasting tactics or by attempting to deceive officials for free-kicks, particularly evident in Budapest. Coach Luis Enrique frequently monitored the match clock as Arsenal engaged in slow play during throw-ins and goal-kicks through the first half. Their late emergence from the tunnel for the second half, two minutes after PSG, further accentuated this.

At the very start of the second half, defender Cristhian Mosquera received a yellow card for delaying a throw-in, marking the start of consistent time-wasting behavior. Players like Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard also frequently fell to the ground, attempting to earn free-kicks.

It’s notable that throughout the first 90 minutes, Arsenal consumed a total of 25 minutes and 56 seconds through such tactics. Fans are left hoping Arsenal will choose to minimize time-wasting and theatrics in future matches, as it detracts from the spectacle of the game. — Ogden