Arteta uses Arsenal’s PSG final loss as fuel for Champions League pursuit

Mikel Arteta has said Arsenal’s Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain remains a driving force as he begins a new long-term contract at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal ended a 22-year wait for the Premier League title in May, finishing first after three successive second-place campaigns. Yet the celebrations were followed 11 days later by European disappointment in Budapest, where the Gunners drew 1-1 with PSG before losing the Champions League final on penalties. The result gave the French club a second consecutive European crown.

Budapest loss remains a motivation

Arteta said the final has not faded from his thoughts, borrowing a phrase associated with former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger to describe the effect of the defeat.

• Arsenal were level with PSG after 90 minutes and extra time in the Champions League final.
• The side were beaten in the subsequent penalty shoot-out.
• PSG retained the European title with their victory in Budapest.
• The final came 11 days after Arsenal had secured the Premier League trophy.

“I still carry that scar, as Arsene would put it,” Arteta said. “There is still poison in my veins. It needs to remain there, because that is where you learn, and it can be an enormous motivation for me and everyone else.”

Arteta committed through 2030

Arsenal have extended Arteta’s stay until 2030 after the progress made since his appointment in December 2019. The agreement is worth close to £20 million a year, making him the best-paid manager in the Premier League.

The Spaniard described the extension as a chance to continue work with people determined to push the club forward.

“It is a privilege to commit my future here and keep working alongside exceptional people who want the best for Arsenal,” Arteta said. “This club is different: its identity and the feeling it creates are unique. I feel hugely privileged that our journey can go on.”

Planning Arsenal’s next phase

Arteta said his attention is already on maintaining the standards that delivered the title while preparing for changing demands in recruitment, squad-building and the wider game.

• He highlighted the task of meeting supporters’ expectations around the world.
• He pointed to plans for constructing the club’s next three squads.
• He said Arsenal must anticipate rule changes and seek ways to benefit from them.
• He stressed that daily improvement is required to protect what the team have established.

Arteta compared that process to continually updating software, arguing that the scope for improvement has no fixed limit. He added that Arsenal have already formed a special connection and produced lasting memories, but believes the current period is only the start of what the group can achieve.

Leeds and Lille next after Brighton setback

Arsenal return from the three-week international break needing to respond to a 3-0 Premier League defeat at Brighton. Leeds are next on Saturday as Arteta’s champions look to restore momentum in their domestic title defence.

The schedule then turns quickly towards Europe. Lille will travel to Emirates Stadium in the Champions League, beginning a demanding run of fixtures that will test the depth, resilience and development of Arteta’s squad across the season’s remaining competitions.