Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has labelled Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) as the best team in the world after his side suffered a heartbreaking defeat in the 2026 UEFA Champions League final in Budapest.
The Gunners, who recently secured the Premier League title, were denied their first-ever Champions League crown after losing 4-3 on penalties to PSG following a 1-1 draw after extra time on Saturday.
The result extended Arsenal’s long wait for European success, two decades after their first Champions League final appearance ended in defeat against Barcelona.
Speaking after the match, Arteta admitted that PSG were the superior side for much of the contest and described his immediate reaction to the loss as one of deep disappointment.
The Spanish coach reserved special praise for PSG manager Luis Enrique and his players, highlighting their exceptional quality in possession and ability to dictate the flow of the game.
“I want to congratulate PSG, especially Luis Enrique, because in my view they are currently the best team in the world,” Arteta said after the final.
“The quality they show on the ball and their individual brilliance are unlike anything I’ve seen before. They force opponents into difficult situations even when you have a plan without the ball. Credit must go to their players for that.”
PSG dominated possession throughout the encounter, restricting Arsenal to less than 25 percent of the ball and forcing the Premier League champions to spend large periods defending.
Arsenal had made a dream start when Kai Havertz put them ahead early in the match, raising hopes of a historic European triumph. However, PSG responded after the break when Ousmane Dembele converted a penalty to bring the score level at 1-1.
The goal also saw PSG match the Champions League record of 45 goals scored in a single campaign, further emphasizing their attacking prowess.
Despite Arsenal’s determined defensive effort, PSG continued to control proceedings and eventually emerged victorious in the penalty shootout, securing back-to-back Champions League titles.
Arteta also expressed frustration over a decision not to award Arsenal a penalty after Noni Madueke went down in the box while the score remained tied.
While he believed the call could have influenced the outcome of the match, the Arsenal boss refused to place the blame solely on the officials.
Instead, he acknowledged that his team must continue improving if they hope to overcome Europe’s elite clubs.
Since taking charge nearly seven years ago, Arteta has transformed Arsenal’s fortunes, leading the club back to the summit of English football and delivering their first Premier League title in 22 years.
However, he admitted that the defeat to PSG highlighted the additional level required to achieve success on the European stage.
“The progress we’ve made over the last few years must continue because the standard keeps rising every season,” Arteta said.
“We have to experience this pain, learn from it, and use it as motivation to improve. To compete with the very best teams in Europe, we need to reach an even higher level because that’s what this competition demands.”