Summary

Live Reporting

Joe Rindl, Ben Ramsdale, Sean Byrne & Ben Collins. Edited by Murray Burnell.

  1. Get Involved

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Can’t stand the narrative that Arsenal have only lost because of injuries. LFC and City have had plenty over the last six years. They’ve picked up two and four league titles respectively, and a CL trophy each. LFC beat Barca 4-0 with a second choice front line in their semi final. Arteta is just full of excuses.

    Chris

    It's getting ever so tiresome listening to everyone involved with Arsenal blame injuries for their failures. Even Declan Rice is saying it now. Every team has had injuries and if you can't cope with players missing then that's the manager and the back room staff's fault. A good team and manager will overcome these problems.

    Chris, Brentwood

  2. How many players do Arsenal have out injured?

    FT: PSG 2-1 Arsenal (3-1 on agg)

    Arsenal

    Italy full-back Riccardo Calafiori returned from six weeks out with injury as a substitute during Wednesday's game in Paris.

    That leaves Arsenal with five players still out injured, and here is when they have been sidelined since:

    • Gabriel Jesus (cruciate ligament) - January
    • Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee surgery) - February
    • Kai Havertz (hamstring) - February
    • Gabriel Magalhaes (hamstring) - April
    • Jorginho (chest) - April

    There's a chance that Havertz and Jorginho could play again before the end of the season.

  3. Ben Ramsdale
    BBC Sport journalist

    About time we delved into that claim from Declan, don't you think?

    Are Arsenal's injury woes this season a valid excuse for the Gunners falling short?

    Let's break down the numbers...

  4. 'We've done the whole season without five or six of our best players'

    FT: PSG 2-1 Arsenal (3-1 on agg)

    Arsenal

    After Arsenal's Champions League run came to an end in Paris on Wednesday, midfielder Declan Rice said: "It's tough. We've done the whole season without five or six of our best players so to do what we've done is unbelievable."

  5. Get Involved

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    I like Guillem. But is he saying Arsenal are nearly there and on re same breath that they need 4 or 5 new starters? So they're half a team away??? That's miles off it.

    Max, Sheffield

  6. Get Involved

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Whenever something like this happens with Arsenal there's a massive pile on by both our own fans, neutrals and pundits. The reality is we competed against a very good PSG side last night and fine margins and superior quality dictated that we missed our chances and they took their chances.

    Evan

    Bukayo Saka of Arsenal misses a chanceGetty Images

  7. 'If you don't see Arsenal's progression it's because you don't want to'

    FT: PSG 2-1 Arsenal (3-1 on agg)

    Mikel Arteta applauds Arsenal fans after defeat in ParisGetty Images

    Spanish football journalist Guillem Balague on X: "Six years away from the Champions League, second season in a row in the competition that defines the biggest teams and careers, and reaching semis.

    "If you don't see Arsenal's progression, it is because you don't want to.

    "Seven regulars return, four/five new starters and back to being one of the best teams in Europe - that's what I see Mikel Arteta is doing with his team."

  8. Ben Ramsdale
    BBC Sport journalist

    We'll have a look James, of course we'll have a look.

    Thumbs up this post if you believe the penalty awarded to Paris St-Germain last night was a penalty, thumbs down if you believe it was not.

  9. Get Involved

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    I know it's irrelevant now, but can we briefly talk about that insane penalty call?

    James

    Referee reviews video ahead of PSG penalty decisionGetty Images

  10. 'Clock ticking on Arteta to prove he can be a winner'

    FT: PSG 2-1 Arsenal (3-1 on agg)

    Phil McNulty
    BBC Sport chief football writer

    Mikel Arteta boldly announced Arsenal were in Paris to make history – but it was a recent history of falling short that haunted them as their Champions League campaign ended in failure.

    Arsenal delivered a fine performance, but were ultimately unable to overcome Paris St-Germain, who have taken a wrecking ball to the Premier League's elite in this tournament and now face Inter Milan in Munich in the final.

    Arteta and his players were devastated as Parc des Princes exploded in pyrotechnics and deafening celebrations at the conclusion of PSG's 2-1 win in this semi-final second leg.

    Arsenal had gone the same way as Manchester City, Liverpool and Aston Villa when they faced Luis Enrique's exciting, emerging PSG side earlier in the tournament.

    And, beneath the surface, lies a very uncomfortable truth for Arteta and Arsenal.

    Arsenal are now five years without a trophy, when Arteta led them to the FA Cup in 2020. For all the talk of process and progress, this is the only currency that matters for elite clubs, so time is ticking on Arteta to make his team winners again.

  11. Get Involved

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Being the best team doesn't always win you games, Liverpool this season and other top sides in seasons past know how to win when they aren't the best side and that is the difference between them and Arsenal.

    Barry, Liverpool fan

    Liverpool celebrate winning Premier LeagueGetty Images

  12. Get Involved

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    We've seen the same issue for years with Arsenal now. When the pressure ramps up, they crumble. They've lost key games that have cost them titles the last two years and they went into the Madrid game as underdogs and got the win. As soon as they got to the semis and had a PSG team they thought they'd beat they crumble again. That's why Arsenal haven't won the league for 22 years.

    Kev

  13. Arsenal out of the Champions League - latest

    Oh it's been a busy morning over here. Just joining? Join the conversation as we look at Arsenal's defeat in the Champions League semi-finals last night and what it means for Mikel Arteta.

    This is what we've covered this morning

    • Arsenal were the Champions League's best team this season? That's what Mikel Arteta says, but Luis Enrique, the PSG coach, disagrees
    • The harsh reality for Arsenal fans waking up this morning is that it's a fifth consecutive season without silverware, falling short in all four competitions
    • It's begged the question - what can we define success as? Will Tottenham or Man Utd be more successful than Arsenal this season if they win the Europe League, despite their bottom-half positions in the Premier League?
    • It's got you talking - Richard (admittedly a Toon fan) says Newcastle will have had more success winning the EFL Cup, while Andy says 'a second rate trophy' doesn't even make it an average season for Spurs or Man Utd

    Lots more analysis and talking points to bring you at a significant time in the tenure of Mikel Arteta at Arsenal.

  14. 'This team is in its infancy in the Champions League'

    FT: PSG 2-1 Arsenal (3-1 on agg)

    BBC Radio 5 Live

    Mikel Arteta's former assistant coach Steve Round speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live about how determined Arteta will be for silverware next season: "His focus and intensity to win and to win for Arsenal is incredible. I don’t think this will deter him one bit – of course he will be incredibly disappointed not to go to the next step.

    "But you have to remember this team is in its infancy in the Champions League, it’s in its second season. You look at Man City who were in the competition for a long time before they managed to win it.

    "I think you grow and you learn and you build. I would have thought there will be a huge resolve at the club to try and take the next step."

    Arsenal players look dejected in front of PSG fansGetty Images

  15. What is Arsenal's European record under Arteta?

    FT: PSG 2-1 Arsenal (3-1 on agg)

    Arsenal players looking disappointed after being knocked out of the Champions League by Bayern Munich in 2024Getty Images

    Since Mikel Arteta took charge in December 2019, Arsenal have had four full European campaigns plus the final two games of their 2019-20 Europa League run.

    Here's how far the Gunners got in each season and how each campaign ended:

    • 2019-20 Europa League - Round of 32: Olympiakos (lost on away goals, 2-2 on agg AET)
    • 2020-21 Europa League - Semi-finals: Villarreal (lost 2-1 on agg)
    • 2022-23 Europa League - Round of 16: Sporting (lost 5-3 on pens, 3-3 on agg)
    • 2023-24 Champions League - Quarter-finals: Bayern Munich (lost 3-2 on agg)
    • 2024-25 Champions League - Semi-finals: Paris St-Germain (lost 3-1 on agg)

  16. Ben Ramsdale
    BBC Sport journalist

    I can't remember the last time we had so much reaction flooding in. There's definitely some strong feelings around Arsenal, Arteta and of course what constitutes as success in this game we all love.

    Certainly keeping this Thursday an interesting one.

    Hopefully making you Gunners feel a little better too by letting off some steam. That's what I'm here for. Well it's not in the job description but I'm here to go above and beyond for you lot.

  17. Get Involved

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    The shouts for Spurs or United having a better season than Arsenal are ridiculous. They are 15th and 16th in the league with 16 and 19 losses! Arteta deserves credit for the season that’s been delivered with a decimated squad. From the starting 11 only Raya, Saliba and Rice have got through the season injury free.

    Anon

  18. Get Involved

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Yes, the Europa League is less prestigious than the CL and the quality may be particularly low this year, but a European Trophy is still a trophy. No one will remember that you "only" beat Bodo/Glimt to win the title in 50 years. At the end of the day, a win for Man U/Spurs will ensure they qualify for the CL next year, just like Arsenal. The difference is that they will also have a trophy for their troubles, which Arsenal won't.

    Tom, Bristol

    Tottenham Hotspur team group against Bodo/GlimtGetty Images

  19. What is Arsenal's two-legged semi-final record under Arteta?

    Arsenal

    Arsenal have now played in four two-legged semi-finals under Mikel Arteta - and lost all four:

    • 2020-21 - Europa League - lost to Villarreal (2-1 on agg)
    • 2021-22 - League Cup - lost to Liverpool (2-0 on agg)
    • 2024-25 - League Cup - lost to Newcastle (4-0 on agg)
    • 2024-25 - Champions League - lost to Paris St-Germain (3-1 on agg)

  20. Get Involved

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Some really outrageous talk about Mikel Arteta not being good enough, and talk of him being a failure. When he came into the club we were in a bad situation, if you look at the results and the players we now have, it's chalk and cheese. Some of the worst offenders are so called Arsenal fans, many of whom I'm sure were never to be seen at a half empty Emirates when we were languishing midtable. Be careful what you wish for.

    Munaf, Brighton