Arsenal and Mikel Arteta will have to accept ‘nearly men’ nickname after falling short to PSG

PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN 2-1 ARSENAL (PSG WIN 3-1 ON AGGREGATE): The Gunners gave it everything against their skilled opponents but fell short at the Champions League semi-final stage

It will ultimately go down as a case of what could have been for Mikel Arteta’s nearly men. Arsenal just could not find the “magic moment” that Arteta had asked from his players as their Champions League adventure came to an end in the Parc des Princes.

The Arsenal players, with their heads bowed in despair at the final whistle amid the huge PSG celebrations, gave everything but just could not pull off another memorable European night. Arsenal’s travelling fans cheered their heroes who came up just short on a night when they definitely had chances to get more goals and make it more nervous for the hosts.

The Gunners are now consigned to another season without a trophy – it is five years and counting for Arteta – and they will look back upon this campaign with obvious regret.

Paris Saint Germain keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma made the save of a lifetime to deny Martin Odegaard and you rarely get second chances on the biggest stage.

Bukayo Saka got a late consolation but also missed a sitter and Arsenal just could not find a way back as they were given a harsh lesson in finishing by PSG and a reminder you cannot win anything without a striker.

Arsenal paid a heavy price for not signing a No.9 last summer and again in January with Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus still out injured. Mikel Merino as a makeshift centre forward has just not been enough.

You cannot be too critical of Arsenal because, unlike in the first leg at the Emirates, they gave a strong account of themselves and have had a great run in the competition. This was also their first Champions League semi final in 16 years and they have went furthest of all the English clubs.

It is a big summer for Arsenal when they have to sign the sort of top class players – especially a centre forward – to turn them into a consistent force again rather than a team who only showed flashes in Europe.

They certainly gave it a good go and they came out all guns blazing, full of confidence and it looked early on as if they might just be able to pull off another great European night. They went close three times in the opening ten minutes.

Gunners boss Arteta had clearly seen a weakness in the PSG defence as the home side definitely had a soft centre. First, Jurrien Timber’s cross found Declan Rice in the middle and his header went just wide.

Arsenal have clearly found a new weapon in Thomas Partey’s long throw. The first time Partey launched it, Gabriel Martinelli raced through a crowd of players but PSG keeper Donnarumma made a terrific stop.

When Partey launched it again, PSG failed to clear their lines and the ball fell to Odegaard whose rasping low drive forced an incredible one-handed stop from Donnarumma. It was breathtaking. But you will always be punished if you do not take chances – and that is exactly what happened.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia had already hit the post and then Rice was booked for a clumsy foul on the PSG winger. Kvaratskhelia floated in a free kick, Partey’s poor headed clearance went to Fabian Ruiz and his shot deflected in off William Saliba.

Realistically, that felt like game over. But in fairness, Arsenal refused to give up. Donnarumma denied Saka with another super save. VAR gave a harsh penalty for a handball against Myles Lewis-Skelly but Arsenal keeper David Raya saved Vitinha’s weak spot kick.

It looked over when Partey’s sloppiness gifted the ball to PSG and Achraf Hakimi curled a brilliant shot into the far corner. But Arsenal roused themselves again.

Leandro Trossard’s cross was deflected into the path of Saka who then slotted in. But Saka wasted a huge chance to set up a grandstand finish as he missed an open goal. Arsenal’s last hope went with that miss.

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