Mikel Arteta Press Conference – Arsenal Manager Reflects On Their 1-0 Defeat to PSG

Arsenal Will Have A Mountain To Climb In Paris Next Week.

Arsenal suffered their second loss at home following the 1-0 defeat to PSG in the Champions League on Tuesday. Ousmane Dembélé, who scored the only goal of the game, put a strong hurdle into Arsenal’s path to the UCL Finals.

Arteta, whose last defeat in all competitions came in February, will be gutted with the result. Despite having the chances and creating enough to get on the scoresheet, the Gunners had nothing to show for it towards the end of the first leg clash.

A tough loss for Mikel Arteta and Arsenal — they’ve got it all to do in Paris 🏟️ pic.twitter.com/hNCt6jbO7v
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) April 29, 2025

‘We’re At Half-Time’ – Mikel Arteta After The First Leg Defeat

Reflecting on their current position, Arteta said that the draw has come to half-time following the first leg. With an opportunity to turn the tides around the hard way, Arteta in his post-match conference said:

“We’re at half-time. Half-time and my message is exactly the same following us beating Real Madrid at home 3-0 – that we have to go to Paris and win the game. We are more than capable of doing it because I saw two very good teams with margins that are so small. They had efficiency in front of the goal and their keeper as well made a difference to see the result that we’ve seen tonight.”

The Spanish manager’s remarks on there was very less to separate the both sides could be true. Even though it might be a disappointing night at the Emirates, the Arsenal squad never look out of the contest. Continuing on who he says as the favourites to win the tie now, Arteta said:

“I don’t know the percentage but we have a lot of chances to be in that final and as I repeat myself, you have to do something, especially in the competition, to earn the right to be in the final and the time to do it is going to be in Paris.”

“We need to go to Paris and win the game.”

Mikel Arteta’s message to his Arsenal players is clear 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/NIPs6IRYe2
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 29, 2025

Arteta commenting on Arsenal’s game performance said they lacked creativity in spaces today. Having less ideas about what to do with the ball in transitions, Arteta critiquing his team said:

“That if we don’t correct that, it was an issue we had with the ball. In a very specific moment, you don’t have the chance to present. And if you don’t have the chance to present and they start to bring all the midfielders back, you’re going to struggle because that’s exactly what they want to do to you.”

ALSO READ: Arsenal vs PSG: Three Key Takeaways From Champions League Semi-Final First Leg at the Emirates

Arsenal will have a mountain to climb at the Parc des Princes if they’re to turn the tides next week. Luis Enrique’s PSG has rarely stepped a foot wrong on home turf this season. Having an unbeaten record at home in the Ligue 1 till April, PSG has scored 42 goals in the French League home games this year.

PSG who struggled in the league phase of the Champions League have had a season of comebacks. With the club now in position to be called the most favourites to the UCL, their hardships over the years are finally looking to come through.

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Mayur Dedwal

soccer

I’m a Sports Content Writer with expertise in football. Being a decade old football enthusiast and part-time coach, I try to bring to life to the articles in a statistical manner. Being around all kinds of sports updates and able to put in my perspective’s to the happenings in the world of football are few of the many things i like in doing what i do. You can find me playing Sunday leagues or Xbox on weekends!