Arsenal 'pain' will fuel fire after Champions League heartbreak

That was the first word out of Mikel Arteta’s mouth in his post-match news conference when asked how he would sum up the Champions League final defeat to Paris St-Germain in Budapest.

On Sunday, Arsenal will get on an open-top bus parade to celebrate their Premier League title, less than 24 hours after their final heartbreak.

The Gunners, who were unbeaten in the Champions League this season heading into Saturday’s final, missed out on becoming European invincibles with their penalty shootout defeat.

Arsenal are hurting but they will fly back from Hungary early on Sunday before joining their fans to celebrate a season to be proud of.

Before the game manager Arteta said he wanted to use the Premier League success as a platform to reach bigger destinations and to aim for more silverware.

But unfortunately, his side fell at the final hurdle in their pursuit of a first European trophy, in their first final in the competition since 2006.

Arsenal produced a battling display but lacked attacking quality as PSG dominated with 75% possession and eventually won on penalties as centre-back Gabriel skied his penalty in the shootout.

The Gunners have still had an excellent season, winning the Premier League for the first time in 22 years, but could the manner of the defeat be what pushes Arsenal on next season?

The Arsenal manager and players understandably looked dejected at the full-time whistle.

“It is very tough to accept when you are so consistent all the way to the final and in the end you lose the trophy on penalties,” Arteta said, before mentioning the decision not to give Arsenal a penalty in the second half when Noni Madueke tangled with Nuno Mendes.

“I watched all the penalties in the competition in the last 72 hours to understand what a penalty is and what is not, and that easily can be a penalty,” said the Spaniard.

“But it is if, if, if. It is not what happened.”

“We need to do better, we have to improve and find different margins to get the outcome that we want.”

Arteta has already turned his mind to next season and helping Arsenal return to this stage.

“First of all I will take a few days with my family and they will start the process to review what we’ve done,” he said.

“We’ll start to make some very important decisions if we want to reach another level.”

“And we’re going to have to show that ambition because we are more than capable of doing it, but it’s going to demand us to be very ambitious, very fast and very smart.”

Arsenal spent around £250m in last summer’s transfer window and they look set to invest again, with a midfielder, left winger and striker all targets this summer.

“They are 100% not going away,” Nedum Onouha told BBC Sport.

“They have shown this season and last season that they are good enough to go deep in the Champions League.”

“Even though they have lost they are still one of the best teams in Europe.”

Arsenal have played the most games in European Cup/Champions League history without winning the trophy (226).

Arsenal will celebrate their Premier League title win on Sunday in front of their supporters in north London.

“If you’d offered them at the start of the season - that they would win the Premier League title and lose the Champions League final by a penalty kick, then it is not a bad season, it is a great season and I mean a really great season,” Pat Nevin told BBC Sport.

“Let’s remember they have lost tonight but they are the Premier League winners,” Onouha added.

“They have got their parade to look forward to and I don’t think there will be any fewer people turning up tomorrow just because they have lost the Champions League final.”

“I think the club is in a great position, the manager has been there for many years now and he has a bunch of players who are still very very hungry, even though they have been successful.”

The review of the Arsenal squad will come in the summer but this team has progressed so much from the one that Arteta took over in 2019.

Bukayo Saka is the last player left from that squad and Arteta said it has been a “joy” to share this season with his players and staff.

Arsenal have looked at how they could generate money in the coming transfer window by potential player sales.

There is also a group of exciting youngsters, including 19-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly - who started in Budapest - Ethan Nwaneri, 19, and 16-year-olds Max Dowman and Marli Salmon who could emerge as first-team regulars in the coming seasons.

“It is cruel for Arsenal fans, but it is inevitable that this club win the Champions League,” European football expert Julien Laurens said on 5 Live.

“Mikel Arteta will see the positives because that is the kind of guy he is. Arsenal are getting closer and closer.”

And for Arteta, despite the pain, says he is ready to celebrate what has been a big step for his Arsenal side.

“I already know how they [the fans] feel about the team. I want to thank them for everything they’ve done for us throughout the season.”

“Difficult moments like this, they’ve been with us. It’s been a joy to see the reaction they’ve had when we’ve been able to win a league after 22 years.”

“It hurts a lot for them not to win it today because I can’t even imagine what would have happened.”

“We all had a huge desire to win it and tomorrow we’ll have a great day, I’m sure.”

Budapest police investigating fan brawl

The game between Paris St-Germain and Arsenal kicks off at 17:00 BST at Puskas Arena

Police in Budapest are studying camera footage to identify supporters fighting before Saturday’s Champions League final between Arsenal and Paris St-Germain.

A police statement said the incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Footage emerged on social media showing what was said to be about 30 supporters of each club brawling and lighting flares.

“Several fans got into a fight on May 30, 2026, at around 00:20 in Budapest’s 7th district, on Kiraly Street,” a police statement said.

“The BRFK 7th District Police Department has initiated proceedings against unknown perpetrators for the crime of gang violence, within the framework of which the camera recordings are also being analysed.”

Nearly 4,000 police officers will be deployed across the Hungarian capital for the Champions League final, with tens of thousands of fans expected to travel to Budapest without tickets.

On Tuesday, Hungary’s deputy national police chief Zoltan Janos Kuczik said: “This will be the largest single-day police deployment in Hungary’s history.”

It was described as a “high-risk event” with security preparations beginning more than a year ago.

Two Portuguese and a British man were arrested on Friday following a fight at the Champions League fan festival site and charged with disorderly conduct.

Police said a British man who climbed on to the roof of a parked car and damaged the vehicle was also arrested.

'He wanted to take it' - Gabriel's first Arsenal penalty ends with heartbreak

The defining image of Arsenal’s Champions League final defeat was Gabriel standing with his head in his hands as he was consoled by Paris St-Germain captain and Brazil team-mate Marquinhos.

It was a cruel end to the defender’s first European final. His penalty, blasted over the crossbar, proved decisive as the Gunners suffered shootout heartbreak and PSG successfully defended their title.

For a player who has so often been Arsenal’s difference-maker this season, it was not the contribution he would have envisaged before the club’s first Champions League final since 2006.

It was the first penalty Gabriel had taken for Arsenal, with manager Mikel Arteta revealing the defender had “prepared and trained for this moment”.

“He wanted to take it,” Arteta said. “Normally the penalty takers would be Bukayo [Saka], Martin [Odegaard] and Kai [Havertz]. But we knew if the game went to extra-time and penalties, different players would have to step forward.”

It was a painful way for one of Arsenal’s standout performers of the season to bring his campaign to a close.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Arsenal defender Matt Upson called it “one of those John Terry moments”, referring to the 2008 Champions League final when the Chelsea captain had the chance to win the final in a shootout, but slipped as he struck the ball, which hit the post as Manchester United went on to claim the title.

It was a night that began so brightly for Arsenal.

When Kai Havertz smashed the ball high into the roof of the net over Matvey Safonov inside six minutes, their supporters were in dreamland at the Puskas Arena in Budapest.

And despite dominating possession, PSG were unable to fashion many clear chances for their feared front three of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue, with Arsenal’s defence largely keeping them under control.

At the heart of that was Gabriel. The defender made more clearances than any other player on the pitch (13) as the Gunners chased the rare feat of a Premier League and Champions League double - achieved only by Manchester United (1999 and 2008) and Manchester City (2023) since 1992.

But after Dembele equalised from the penalty spot, the contest became a must-not-lose affair for both sides, with neither keeper seriously tested as the tension rose in Hungary and the game drifted towards a shootout.

There was an early advantage for PSG when Eberechi Eze stroked his penalty wide after a stuttering run up, but Gunners keeper David Raya responded by saving Nuno Mendes’ effort.

However, after four successful kicks, there would be no reprieve for Gabriel who fired his penalty over the crossbar and into the delirious PSG fans.

“To miss a penalty in a Champions League final, obviously it’s not nice,” Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice said on TNT Sports.

“But we love them and we’re with them. It happens in football. They’re not going to be the last players to miss penalties in finals.

“Everyone has missed a penalty and without those two this season we wouldn’t have won the Premier League, that’s for sure.

“Gabriel, I’ve run out of words for him as a person and as a player. Eze has scored some crucial goals for us this season.

“It happens. It’s football and it’s cruel. We take the positives and keep going.”

The sight of Gabriel wiping away tears as PSG’s players celebrated with the trophy will be one that lingers long in the memory of Arsenal supporters.

The Brazilian, one of Mikel Arteta’s first signings after taking charge in December 2019, has been a driving force behind the club’s rise back to the summit of English football and their Premier League title triumph this season.

He started 48 of Arsenal’s 63 matches across all competitions and contributed nine goals and assists - more than both Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus.

While rival fans may focus on his miss in Budapest, Arsenal supporters will remember the countless occasions he delivered for his side, including a dramatic 96th-minute winner against Newcastle United in September.

“I’ve just listened to Declan Rice talking about how he has run out of words to describe Gabriel because he has been so important and so good for Arsenal all season, and over the past few years as well,” former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha told BBC Sport.

“So for him to be the one who misses the penalty that costs them the Champions League final is heartbreaking.

“But I think everyone will rally around him because Arsenal would not have won the Premier League without him. He has been invaluable and, quite rightly, is in the conversation for PFA Player of the Year.

“The pressure is always there in a shootout. You can practice penalties in training, but in a Champions League final you can never truly prepare for that moment. Unfortunately, he has experienced what every player dreads - missing the penalty that decides a final.”

Former England defender Upson added: “It’s one of those moments that will be remembered for years, a cruel blow for a player who has been a tower of strength for Arsenal.

“Gabriel gave everything for his team. He showed the mentality and courage to step forward and take responsibility, which is all you can ask of any player.

“It is desperately sad for him, but he strikes me as someone who will recover quickly and use it as motivation. He still has a huge summer ahead with Brazil.”

For one night, Gabriel was the face of Arsenal’s heartbreak. It should not detract from the fact he was also one of the main reasons they got there in the first place.

Liverpool sack head coach Slot and approach Iraola

Head coach Arne Slot has been sacked by Liverpool after two seasons in charge.

The Dutchman, 47, guided the Reds to their 20th league title in his debut season but they have struggled during his second year, finishing fifth in the Premier League.

Recently departed Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola is the leading contender to replace Slot.

The club have approached the Spaniard to discuss the role.

Despite still qualifying for next season’s Champions League, Liverpool finished with 60 points - their lowest tally since the 2015-16 campaign and 25 points behind champions Arsenal.

“That this was a difficult decision for us to make as a club goes without saying. The contribution Arne has made to Liverpool FC in the time that he has been with us has been significant, meaningful and - most importantly of all to supporters and ourselves - successful,” Liverpool’s owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG) said in a statement.

“As such, our appreciation for everything he has achieved could not be greater, particularly as it was underpinned by a work ethic, a diligence and a level of expertise which further underlined our view that he is a leader in his field.

“From the moment that we first encountered Arne, it was immediately clear that he is an individual who does not merely accept responsibility, he embraces it.”

Liverpool had insisted that a change of head coach was not on the agenda, but after assessing the situation following the end of the season last weekend, the club’s hierarchy believe the next phase requires a more front-foot, aggressive and urgent style of football.

The decision to sack Slot was made by Michael Edwards, FSG’s chief executive, and Richard Hughes, Liverpool’s sporting director.

Iraola, 43, is one of the most highly-rated coaches in Europe and is known for his attacking style of play.

He was appointed at Bournemouth when Hughes was technical director at the Cherries, a role he left in 2024 to join the Reds.

Bournemouth finished only one place and three points behind Liverpool to qualify for next season’s Europa League.

Slot replaced Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool boss in 2024 after the German stepped down at Anfield after nine years as manager.

Earlier this month, forward Mohamed Salah said the club must return to being a “heavy metal attacking team that opponents fear” after “crumbling” to a defeat at Aston Villa.

Much of Liverpool’s success under Klopp - where they won every major trophy - came through this style of play.

“The conclusion we have come to is built on a belief that the team’s trajectory is best addressed through a change of direction. That does not diminish the work Arne has done here, or the respect we have for him. Nor is it a reflection of his talents. Rather, it is indicative of the need for a different approach,” the statement added.

“Arne leaves with our gratitude, with a Premier League title to his name, and with the knowledge that he and his family will always be welcomed back at Anfield.”

Slot’s backroom staff are also widely expected to leave, although there has been no announcement from the club on their positions yet.

Liverpool spent £415m last summer on six players - the highest outlay in a single window by a British club - in a bid to retain their title.

They broke the British transfer record to sign Alexander Isak from Newcastle for a fee of £125m and also bought Bayer Leverkusen and Germany playmaker Florian Wirtz for a club record £116m.

In July, forward Diogo Jota died in a car crash - a player who featured regularly under Slot.

“We would like to take this opportunity to place on record our appreciation for Arne, who will always hold a special place in the history of this football club as the coach who delivered Liverpool’s 20th league title,” the statement added.

“That accomplishment - made all the more remarkable as it arrived in his very first season in charge - was built on outstanding coaching and leadership every single day.

“He also helped guide the club through one of the most difficult periods imaginable following the loss of Diogo. The compassion and humanity he showed throughout that time said a great deal about him as a person.

“As such, we can only wish Arne well in the next stage of his coaching career, with our expectation being that he will continue to be successful. We do so in the knowledge that his Liverpool legacy is intact and will become yet more meaningful in the years and decades to come.”

PSG go back-to-back and join 'greatest of all time'

Paris St-Germain underlined their status as one of European football’s greatest ever teams by becoming only the second club to retain the Champions League.

Their nervy 4-3 win on penalties over Arsenal following a 1-1 draw in the final in Budapest backed up their 5-0 win over Inter Milan in Munich 12 months ago.

In doing so they became the first side to successfully defend their title since Real Madrid’s three-peat from 2016 to 2018, and only the second to do it in the Champions League era - 1993 onwards.

Indeed, across the competition’s 71-year history PSG are just the 10th club to win successive titles.

“I’m mixed,” boss Luis Enrique said after the game. “Excitement, fatigue - everything. But this is the best moment of the season. We are still champs, two in a row, it’s amazing.”

All 10 of the outfield players who started PSG’s win over Arsenal, also started their victory over Inter Milan.

Only goalkeeper Matvey Safonov was new, in for Gianluigi Donnarumma who was signed by Manchester City last summer.

Over the past two years Luis Enrique’s team have dominated almost all competitions they have competed in.

Since the start of last season they have won eight of the 10 trophies available to them - only missing out on last summer’s Club World Cup and this campaign’s French Cup.

If they continue their dominance next season PSG could become just the fifth side to win three successive Champions League/European Cup titles.

But they still have a way to go to break Real Madrid’s record of five European Cups in a row between 1956 and 1960.

“Tonight PSG have made history,” said European football journalist Julien Laurens on BBC Radio 5 Live.

“Last season will always be special, but I think they will enjoy this more as they had to dig deep, they had to fight, and they had to come back.

“Last season was almost a bit too easy against Inter. Back-to-back you join the greatest of all time.”

Luis Enrique is now the fifth manager to win three Champions League/European Cup titles.

ESPN journalist Laurens said PSG’s second Champions League crown “puts them in another dimension”.

The French champions also scored the most goals (45) and recorded the highest average possession (60.5%) in this season’s competition.

Laurens added to BBC Radio 5 Live: “Now they are in the conversation with those great teams. Pep [Guardiola] never did it with [Lionel] Messi and Barcelona, or with Manchester City either.

“If you win one it’s great, one and you are happy. But back-to-back is a different story.”

Paris St-Germain were playing in their third final. Their first was in 2019-20 when they lost 1-0 to Bayern Munich in Portugal.

But by winning a second Champions League title PSG also became the best-performing French club in the competition, going clear of rivals Marseille who have one title.

Head coach Luis Enrique follows in the footsteps of Bob Paisley, Pep Guardiola, Carlo Ancelotti and Zinedine Zidane in becoming just the fifth manager to win three Champions League/European Cup titles.

The Spaniard, who was unveiled as PSG boss in July 2023, also won the Champions League as a player with Barcelona in 2014-15.

Remarkably, “he didn’t want to take the job when he was first asked”, journalist Guillem Balague told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“[He said] ‘you are full of stars - I’m not interested’. He was promised [he could] change the culture and the question was different. It wasn’t how can we win the Champions League, it was what kind of football do we want?

“The answer was offensive, attractive and Luis Enrique represented that and he was convinced he could do that.”

Under Luis Enrique, PSG lost their record goalscorer and five-time Ligue 1 player of the year Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid on a free transfer in 2024.

But, arguably, the France forward’s departure has helped balance the team.

PSG scored 44 more goals across all competitions in their first season without Mbappe (2024-25) compared with his final season at the club.

“Everyone plays like a team,” says Balague of the current squad.

“PSG is the team with the fewest yellow cards in Europe’s top leagues. That is a reflection of emotional control and everyone playing for everybody instead of being angry.

“He [Luis Enrique] said before when Mbappe left he prefers five players scoring 10 goals than one scoring 50. This season PSG have 20 different goalscorers. It is a collective approach.”

They also equalled the record for most goals scored in a single edition of the European Cup/Champions League, with their 45 drawing level with Barcelona’s total in 1999-2000.

Luis Enrique has also created a brilliant relationship with PSG’s fans.

After their Champions League win last year, they unveiled a flag in tribute to their coach and daughter Xana - who died aged nine in 2019 - showing the pair planting a Barcelona flag in the centre circle after the 2015 European triumph over Juventus in Berlin.

And in Budapest, before their win over Arsenal, a giant banner showing Luis Enrique lifting the famous trophy was displayed among the French faithful.

He was cheered on by the PSG fans passionately as he was lifted into the air by his players while hold the Champions League trophy.

After collecting his medal he danced in front of them with president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, celebrating the trophy that for so long had eluded the club. Not once, but twice.