By Oluwamayowa Fakande
Arsenal’s wait for silverware continues after they were dumped out of the UEFA Champions League semi-final by Paris Saint-Germain, losing 2-1 on the night and 3-1 on aggregate.
The Gunners, who last lifted a major trophy five seasons ago, will end the campaign empty handed once more despite a spirited showing at the Parc des Princes.
PSG, who lost their only previous final in 2020, are now set for another shot at Europe’s biggest prize as they gear up to face Inter Milan at Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena.
Coming into the second leg trailing by a lone goal from the first leg, Arsenal came out firing. PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma had to be at his best early on, pulling off brilliant saves to deny Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard.
But against the run of play, Fabian Ruiz put the hosts ahead in the 28th minute after Khvicha Kvaratskhelia had earlier rattled the post.
Bukayo Saka pulled one back in the 76th minute after Hakimi’s brilliant strike had doubled PSG’s lead. The young winger then missed a golden chance moments later to draw Arsenal level on the night, blasting over from close range.
Vitinha had earlier missed a penalty for PSG after a controversial handball call, but it did not matter in the end as the Parisians held firm to book a place in the final.
For Arsenal, it is another season of what could have been.
