Mikel Arteta, Arsenal’s manager, explained his decision during the postgame press conference. “Gabriel wanted to take the last penalty. We trained for that moment.” Gabriel ended up missing it the penalty and granted PSG the Champions League title.

Arteta also explained that usually, the penalty takers are Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, and Kai Havertz. All three of them were subbed off by Arteta even before the 90 minutes of regulation against PSG had been played in full.

Arteta blamed the circumstances of the game as cause of Gabriel’s miss

As Arteta recalls, Gabriel didn’t miss a single penalty during training sessions. “Then you have to do these moments, it’s unfortunate not to have the same precision and they (PSG) had, and that’s the reason we haven’t won it (Champions League).”

Basically, the atmosphere, the high-stakes moment, and the tension got the best of Gabriel according to Arteta. However, Arteta himself must be criticized, as even if Gabriel was doing great in training, this was not the scenario or the space to put him in as this was the first penalty Gabriel had ever taken for the team.

Gabriel wasn’t the only one to miss the target during the penalty shootout

While all the blame is going towards Gabriel as it was the decisive penalty, he wasn’t the only one to miss his shot. In fact, there’s an argument to say Eberechi Eze’s missed penalty was even worse.

Eze took a slow, long run-in, then almost paused, made a quick jump and shot. However, PSG’s goalkeeper Matvey Safonov didn’t buy all the shenanigans and stayed focused, without giving away anything. That caused Eze to panic and make his shot almost unbalanced. He missed it wide. While Arteta said Arsenal practiced, missing the goal on two penalties is quite unacceptable.

During the first period of extra time, Nuno Mendes came down heavily on Madueke, but the VAR did not intervene to review the incident. What could have been a penalty for Arsenal ultimately came to nothing, and Arteta was left unhappy with the decision.

“It can easily be a penalty… the referee has made a decision and a different one with Mosquera – and yeah it’s an important one,” the manager said via TNT Sports.

Arteta also expressed pride in his squad despite the final result, making it clear that Luis Enrique, who has won his third UCL trophy as a manager, and PSG are the best team. “Congratulations to PSG and to Luis Enrique.“

Arteta overcome with pain after UCL Final

The penalty shootout defeat to PSG still places Arsenal among those popular teams that were unable to win the Champions League. Understandably, the emotions after the loss were ones of disappointment, with pain taking over Arteta in the aftermath of the match.

“It is very tough to accept. We were so consistent in the competition all the way to the final, and then lose the trophy on penalties… No one can take that pain away from you,” the manager said to the press. “We got the big one [the Premier League], but we missed out on the biggest one.”

Gabriel Magalhaes decided the UCL Final in the shootout

Gabriel Magalhaes took the final penalty for Arsenal, and fortune was not on his side. The ball went slightly over the crossbar, and it was after the match that Mikel Arteta was questioned regarding this decision.

“Gabriel wanted to take the last penalty. We trained for that moment,” the manager revealed to the press.

What’s next for Arsenal and PSG?

With the 2026 UEFA Champions League concluded, both teams are already looking ahead to what comes next. Arsenal, last season’s Premier League champions, have secured their place in the next edition and will now be able to rest and focus on preparing for the next campaign.

Meanwhile, PSG already have their sights set on the match against Aston Villa, winners of the most recent Europa League, in the 2026 UEFA Super Cup.

Arsenal’s lineup features several other attackers who have also enjoyed outstanding seasons: Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, and Leandro Trossard. The trio is expected to rotate and move fluidly across the entire front line.

The Gunners are looking to make a statement in Budapest as they attempt to become unbeaten Champions League winners. It will not be an easy task, however, as they will be facing the reigning champions, PSG, who are aiming to lift the trophy for a second consecutive season.

Eze’s injury is now behind him

Eberechi Eze suffered a calf injury in late March that kept him out of action for part of April, and later picked up a minor muscular niggle during a Premier League match against Newcastle United on April 25th.

However, after successfully returning to the pitch and helping Arsenal secure the Premier League title, Eze has put his fitness concerns behind him and is ready to feature in the club’s ultimate European showcase.

Gyokeres’ impact on Arsenal this season

Viktor Gyokeres has enjoyed a stellar campaign leading the line for Arsenal during the 2025–26 season, proving to be the elite focal point Mikel Arteta’s attack needed. The Swedish powerhouse made 36 appearances in the Premier League, spearheading the Gunners’ title-winning charge with an impressive return of 14 goals and 1 assist.

His clinical output extended directly onto the European stage as well, where he delivered 5 goals and 2 assists in 12 UEFA Champions League matches, helping secure Arsenal’s spot in the final.

In recent days, Ousmane Dembele has raised concerns about his availability for this match. However, the French forward is ultimately available for Luis Enrique in this crucial encounter.

The Gunners, who secured the Premier League title ahead of the Champions League final, received a boost this week as Jurrien Timber returned to training. The right-back could provide an interesting option for Mikel Arteta to withstand PSG’s attacking threats.

PSG starting XI

Luis Enrique‘s side welcomes back Achraf Hakimi, one of the most anticipated returns to the starting lineup. The Moroccan full-back spent a lengthy period on the sidelines due to injury, but he is available for the Champions League final.

With that in mind, these are the eleven players PSG will field from the start at the Puskas Arena as they look to secure their second consecutive Champions League title. Since the competition’s rebranding in 1992, only Real Madrid have managed to achieve that feat.

PSG lineup: Matvei Safonov; Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, Willian Pacho, Nuno Mendes; Joao Neves, Vitinha, Fabian Ruiz; Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

Arsenal lineup

Arsenal will be aiming to be crowned the best team in Europe for the first time in the club’s history, with the Gunners looking to join the list of unbeaten UCL winners. To achieve that goal, Mikel Arteta and his coaching staff are deploying these eleven players from the opening whistle.

Arsenal lineup: David Raya; Piero Hincapie, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Cristhian Mosquera; Declan Rice, Myles Lewis-Skelly; Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Leandro Trossard; Kai Havertz.

Ben White is not playing today as he’s still recovering from an injury sustained against West Ham on Matchday 36 of the Premier League. Arteta is leaving big names on the bench, with Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyokeres not starting as they could make an impact in the second half.

When and where will the match be played?

The 2026 UEFA Champions League final will take place today, Saturday, May 30, at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary, with kickoff scheduled for 12:00 PM ET. As soccer fans search for how to watch PSG vs Arsenal in the USA, television and streaming platforms are gearing up to see who will conquer European football’s ultimate prize.

Liverpool were the first of those three clubs to achieve such a feat. In the 1976/77 season, under the leadership of Bob Paisley, they became the first club to accomplish it. The same milestone was repeated seven years later during the 1983/84 season.

Manchester United, a European giant, also joined this list, though much more recently. With Alex Ferguson as their leading figure, they managed to win the double in the 1998/99 and 2007/08 seasons.

Pep Guardiola, who is reportedly set to leave Manchester City after this season, previously guided the club to the highest level a few years ago. It was during the 2022–23 season that the Citizens secured both titles.

Arsenal seek the double

The highly anticipated 2025/26 UEFA Champions League final is scheduled to take place on Saturday, May 30, 2026. The showpiece match will be hosted at the impressive Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary, where French powerhouse Paris Saint-Germain will clash with English side Arsenal for European football’s ultimate prize.

The team led by Mikel Arteta will play in this stage for the second time in its history. The first and only previous occasion came in the 2005–06 season, when the Gunners lost 2–1 to FC Barcelona at the Stade de France. Arsenal will now be looking to join the list of undefeated UEFA Champions League winners.

Arteta has now become only the fourth Spanish manager to lead a non-Spanish club to a Champions League final. He joins a legendary trio that includes Rafa Benitez (Liverpool), Guardiola (Manchester City), and Luis Enrique (PSG).

This victory marks a monumental moment for Arsenal, granting them passage to just the second Champions League final in club history. The Gunners will face either Bayern Munich or PSG at Budapest’s Puskas Aréna on May 30.

Chasing European glory

Arsenal head to Budapest with a historic opportunity. If they lift the trophy, they will be crowned unbeaten Champions League winners, becoming only the 12th club in history to win the competition without suffering a single defeat.

Arteta’s squad has been nearly flawless throughout the campaign, boasting a record of 11 wins and 3 draws. Its defensive discipline has been the backbone of this run, conceding only six goals in the tournament while racking up nine clean sheets.

A season for the record books

By reaching the final, Arsenal have equaled their all-time record for wins in a single season with 41 victories, matching the historic mark set during the 1970/71 campaign, according to statistics from Squawka.

The Gunners are currently in a unique position to complete a historic double: winning their first-ever Champions League title while securing their 14th Premier League crown. Arsenal currently hold a five-point lead over Manchester City (who have a game in hand) with only nine points left to play for in the domestic season.

When asked by beIN Sports if the loss would define the title race, Arteta remained resolute. “No, there are five games left for us and six for them,” Arteta said. “We are still three points ahead. There is still so much to play for.”

Arteta’s comments signal that while the defeat is a significant blow to its championship quest, the North London side remains confident. For the Spanish tactician, the road to the Premier League crown is far from over, with plenty of twists expected before a champion is crowned.

Following Man City’s win and the subsequent update to the Premier League table, Arsenal enter the coming week with the narrow comfort of still sitting atop the standings. They remain in the driver’s seat, though their margin for error has all but evaporated.

Arsenal stymied by clinical Man City

It wasn’t just City’s tactical masterclass that hindered Arsenal on the road; the Gunners lacked their usual clinical edge in the final third. Multiple efforts rattled the woodwork, as missed opportunities allowed Manchester City to stay in the fight and eventually seize the points.

Captain Martin Odegaard, typically the heartbeat of the Arsenal attack, struggled to find space between the lines. His inability to dictate the tempo was a glaring issue for a side that has relied heavily on his creative vision throughout the campaign.

Beyond Odegaard, the forward line—with the exception of a hardworking Kai Havertz—failed to find its rhythm. Eberechi Eze was largely anonymous throughout the contest, a disappearance that proved costly against a City defense that tightened their grip as the match progressed.

A domestic or continental priority?

While the domestic title is now under threat, the club’s focus must quickly shift toward its European ambitions. After punching their ticket to the Champions League semifinals last week, Arsenal find themselves at a crossroads.

With both competitions reaching a fever pitch, the upcoming semifinal clash against Atletico Madrid may provide the ultimate clue as to where Arteta will place his chips. After Sunday’s setback, the Gunners must decide if they have the depth to chase glory on two fronts or if one trophy must take precedence.

In the end, Pep Guardiola‘s team gained the upper hand, reducing the gap with Mikel Arteta‘s side in the Premier League standings.

Thanks to their 2-1 win, Manchester City (67) are now just three points shy of leaders Arsenal (70) with a game in hand, which means the Citizens can tie the Gunners on points if they win their pending league fixture.

Here’s how things stand in the 2025-26 Premier League after today’s game:

Arsenal’s schedule: What’s next for them in the Premier League?

While Arsenal are also alive in the UEFA Champions League (they will face Atletico Madrid in the semifinals), the Gunners have five games left in the 2025-26 Premier League season:

• Newcastle (home) – April 25
• Fulham (home) – May 2
• West Ham (away) – May 10
• Burnley (home) – TBD
• Crystal Palace (away) – May 24

Manchester City’s remaining Premier League fixtures

Unlike Arsenal, Manchester City are no longer in UEFA Champions League contention but they do have the chance to lift the FA Cup, facing Southampton (who knocked Arsenal out) in the semifinals.

In Premier League action, Pep Guardiola’s men have six fixtures left this term, one more than Arsenal:

• Burnley (away) – April 22
• Everton (away) – May 4
• Brentford (home) – May 9
• Bournemouth (away) – TBD
• Crystal Palace (home) – TBD
• Aston Villa (home) – May 24

Pep Guardiola’s men head into this massive clash in high spirits, having avoided defeat in their last nine Premier League games. Manchester City haven’t lost in league play since their derby defeat to Manchester United in January.

Mikel Arteta’s side, on the other hand, arrives on Matchday 33 with pressure on its shoulders and a point to prove. Last time out, Arsenal were shocked by Bournemouth at home, which boosted the Citizens‘ confidence. Additionally, Man City beat Arsenal in the EFL Cup final in March. Will the Gunners redeem themselves today?

What happens if Arsenal beat Manchester City today?

If Arsenal beat Manchester City today, they will reach 73 points and provisionally extend their lead over the Sky Blues to nine points. Guardiola’s team would remain second in the Premier League table with 64 points, but with a game in hand.

What happens if Arsenal and Manchester City tie today?

A tie between Arsenal and Manchester City would leave the Premier League title race wide open, as the Gunners would remain six points clear of the Citizens but with one more game played.

What happens if Arsenal lose to Manchester City today?

If Arsenal lose to Manchester City today, Guardiola‘s men would reduce the gap with the London club to only three points and with a game in hand. This would leave the Sky Blues in a strong position, as they would tie the Gunners in points if they win their pending league fixture.

A defeat would be the worst possible scenario for Arteta‘s side today, as it could see its title hopes seriously in danger after leading the standings for much of the 2025-26 campaign.

“We are pretty worried about Saka’s injury,” said Arteta, who added: “He grabbed his hamstring and couldn’t continue. He will have to be assessed but we are pretty worried, yes.”

It is no surprise Arteta is concerned. Bukayo Saka is not only the Premier League‘s top assist provider but also Arsenal’s second-highest scorer this season with five goals. Beyond the numbers, he is the engine of Arsenal’s offense, a player through whom much of their attacking play flows. A product of Arsenal’s youth academy, Saka has grown into a star and a leader, making him the club’s most indispensable player.

Bukayo Saka was filmed leaving Crystal Palace’s Selhurst Pak Stadium on crutches:

The extent of Bukayo Saka’s injury is still unknown, but these images worry the whole team because he could not even leave the stadium by his own means. Bukayo joins the list of injured players: Raheem Sterling, Ben White, O. Zinchenko and T. Tomiyasu. Undoubtedly, the load of matches is affecting the health of professional players, who increasingly have more frequent injuries of greater severity.

Who should step up and replace Bukayo Saka for the following matches?

We already know that Bukayo Saka is irreplaceable for Arsenal, but the following matches are very important to get on track and maintain the fight for the Premier League. The main candidate to replace him would be the Brazilian, Gabriel Martinelli. Although his ideal position is as a left winger, he has already played as a right winger and his speed, dribbling and definition would be key to maintain the high competitiveness of the team.

In addition to Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus, the team’s other Brazilian player, could gain the prominence he expressed his desire for in the following games. Gabriel Jesus has never been a normal striker, he has always been seen as a modern striker and therefore is able to adapt to the left and right wings without any problem. His reading of the game and dribbling could be very useful despite not being the fastest winger. His talent for scoring goals could be vital alongside Kai Havertz with whom they could exchange heights and confuse opposing defenders.

England and Arsenal star Bukayo Saka has had an impressive start of the season, with a combined of 18 goals and assists in as many appearances for the Gunners. Due to his performance, the buzz around the 23-year-old is growing, with the press asking Mikel Arteta if he could emulate his childhood hero Cristiano Ronaldo.

“To look is always good. The way Cristiano started his career, and when he joined Manchester United, nobody probably expected in the first few seasons he would be able to do that,” Arteta said, before explaining what made Ronaldo grow in the league.

“It was about his mentality, his work ethic, how he developed his skill, his chemistry with his team and to play in a team that has the capacity as well to be dominant. That is very, very important,” he said. Before adding: “I think Bukayo has got that context and if he is aiming for that, I think it is a positive thing.”

While this season, Saka’s goal contributions are only surpassed by Mohamed Salah’s in the Premier League, emulating Ronaldo is another entirely different thing. In the Premier League, the Portuguese is one of the 33 players to have surpassed the 100 goals (103).

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner had an even bigger impact in Europe, winning five Champions League titles (being the first man to do so) and becoming the competition’s all-time goalscorer.

Arteta thinks Saka will improve

However, Arteta believes that Bukayo’s contributions to the team this year are beyond the numbers, even though they are pretty good. “He is providing something else. He is adding things to his game, he is more and more consistent, and his numbers in terms of impact in goals and assists is incredible at this stage of the season,” he said.

“He can only improve, he can only get better. He has got the right players around him to continue to do so and especially because he wants more,” he added. Currently, Arsenal sit third on the Premier League standings, just behind Liverpool and Chelsea.