Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard has delivered a frank assessment of his team’s Champions League semifinal defeat to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), pointing to their lack of sharpness at both ends of the pitch as the reason for their exit.
“Between the boxes we did well, but football is decided in the boxes and we were not strong enough there,” said Ødegaard post-match.
Arsenal’s Champions League Dream Ends in Paris
Missed Chances and Defensive Errors Prove Costly
In the second leg at Parc des Princes, Arsenal dominated early spells of possession. However, it was PSG who struck first through Fabián Ruiz in the 27th minute. A crucial mistake by Thomas Partey led to a second goal by Achraf Hakimi, giving PSG a firm grip on the tie.
Bukayo Saka gave Arsenal a glimmer of hope in the 76th minute, but their late push was not enough to overturn the deficit. The final aggregate score ended 3-1 in favor of PSG.
Ødegaard’s Analysis: Arsenal Not Clinical Enough
The Arsenal skipper didn’t mince words, admitting that the team failed where it mattered most—in both penalty areas.
“We have to be more ruthless in front of goal and stronger defensively,” he added. “We controlled the game at times, but that’s not enough at this level.”
What’s Next for Arsenal After UCL Elimination?
Focus Shifts to Premier League Title Race
With their Champions League hopes dashed, Arsenal must now turn their attention to the Premier League, where they are still in contention for the title. Mikel Arteta is expected to reassess tactics and squad depth as the team looks to bounce back from European heartbreak.
SEO Keywords: Martin Ødegaard PSG comments, Arsenal PSG semifinal analysis, Champions League 2025, Arsenal mistakes vs PSG, Ødegaard post-match PSG, Arsenal Champions League exit
Read More :- Rohit Sharma Bids Farewell to Test Cricket After Glorious Career
