PSG vs Arsenal LIVE: Mikel Arteta makes bold claim after Gunners crash out of Champions League
PSG 2-1 Arsenal (agg: 3-1): Inter Milan await PSG Champions League in the final after they see off Gunners in Paris
Paris Saint-Germain weathered an early Arsenal storm before goals by Fabian Ruiz and Achraf Hakimi sealed a 2-1 victory to send them into the Champions League final.
The French champions' 3-1 aggregate triumph means they can now finally win the trophy they crave for the first time when they face Italian heavyweights Inter Milan in Munich on May 31.
Trailing 1-0 from last week's first leg, Arsenal dominated the early stages in the Parc des Princes with PSG keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma making vital saves. The Gunners were made to pay for not taking their chances as Ruiz then slammed home a stunning left-foot shot past David Raya in the 27th minute to double PSG's aggregate lead.
Raya saved Vitinha's poor penalty in the 69th minute, which had been controversially rewarded for a handball, but shortly afterwards Hakimi made it 2-0 on the night with a sweetly-struck shot that gave Raya no chance.
Bukayo Saka replied in the 76th minute and then blazed a glorious chance over the crossbar as the visitors fell short of reaching the final for the first time since 2006.
Relive all the action from Paris with our live blog below:
Martin Odegaard challenges Arsenal to learn from Champions League heartbreak
Martin Odegaard has insisted Arsenal must stick together following their “painful” exit from the Champions League which left them trophyless for another season.
Manager Mikel Arteta revealed the defeat left his players in tears and captain Odegaard said: “It’s very painful to be honest. We started the game really well, on the front foot, took control of the game and created some big moments.
“But again, in the boxes, that’s where the games are decided and we weren’t good enough. That’s where we have to be sharper and more clinical and also not concede the goals like we’ve done.
“We have to stick together, stay strong, and learn from it.”
Martin Odegaard challenges Arsenal to learn from Champions League heartbreak
Luis Enrique responds to Mikel Arteta claim that Arsenal were ‘better’ than PSG
Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique disagreed with Mikel Arteta’s claim that Arsenal were the best team in the Champions League this season.
PSG advanced to the Munich final after a 3-1 aggregate win over the Gunners, winning both legs as they set up a clash with Inter on May 31.
It was a disappointing night for Arsenal, who played well but were frustrated by PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma’s saves, as Areta’s side ultimately fell short.
Arsenal have dealt with a difficult hand with injuries this season, but their wait for another trophy for Arteta will go on.
Luis Enrique responds to Mikel Arteta claim that Arsenal were ‘better’ than PSG
Arsenal’s frustrating season ends in disappointment to raise awkward questions for Mikel Arteta
This dispiriting season for Arsenal essentially ends as it should: all of the campaign’s issues inevitably combining for one last disappointment. There was no final step to Munich and that will fairly be cast as a backward step overall.
Paris Saint-Germain have instead made a huge stride in becoming the club that Qatar so desperately want them to be. They beat their own ghosts here as much as they beat Arsenal 2-1 on the night and 3-1 on aggregate.
Arsenal’s season ends in disappointment to raise awkward questions for Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta comments reveal Arsenal delusion and why other clubs dislike them
On a night when Arsenal couldn’t do enough, there were more of those moments when Mikel Arteta doesn’t help himself.
Paris Saint-Germain had beaten Arsenal 3-1 on aggregate, to only extend this feeling that they are Europe’s most exciting - and probably best - side. Despite that, Arteta came out with the following.
“I don’t think there’s been a better team in the competition”, before saying that was “especially across 160 minutes” of the semi-final. That was on top of the curious pre-game comments where Arteta had said Liverpool had won Premier League with fewer points than his own team had managed in the previous two seasons. A mere glance at points-per-game records illustrated this to be nonsense.
Mikel Arteta comments reveal Arsenal delusion and why other clubs dislike them
When will Arteta's trophy drought end?
The greatest Champions League semi-finals ranked
Before Arsenal and PSG went at it in the French capital, Inter Milan and Barcelona produced a legendary semi-final – but where does it rank in Champions League history?
Miguel Delaney ranks the top 10 greatest last-four ties:
Inter v Barcelona and the greatest Champions League semi-finals ranked
How Inter stunned Barcelona: from VAR controversy to dramatic late goal
PSG will now face Inter Milan in the Champions League final, who were involved in one of the all-time great European ties.
After a 3-3 draw last week, Barcelona were moments away from a first Champions League final in 10 years when Raphinha fired the visitors into the lead for the first time in the semi-final.
But Francesco Acerbi rescued Inter deep in stoppage time and Davide Frattesi put the hosts 4-3 ahead in extra time to settle a breathless contest that will be remembered for years to come.
The tie equalled the record number of goals in a Champions League semi-final. Here’s how it unfolded, turn by turn.
How Inter stunned Barcelona: from VAR controversy to dramatic late goal
PSG = Premier League kryptonite
PSG have beaten four Premier League sides on their way to the Champions League final.
Man City, Liverpool, Aston Villa and now Arsenal. All have fallen to the Parisians.
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