Arsenal Captain Martin Odegaard sends words of encouragement to fans by ensuring them they will be back stronger after Champions League elimination
Martin Odegaard urged Arsenal to use the pain of defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League semi-finals as motivation moving forward.
The Gunners were beaten 2-1 at Parc des Princes on Wednesday with Bukayo Saka grabbing a late consolation after goals from Fabian Ruiz and Achraf Hakimi had PSG in control.
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Saka and Declan Rice were guilty of missing clear-cut chances for the visitors, who saw David Raya save a second-half Vitinha penalty, while Gianluigi Donnarumma made a string of impressive saves early on and Saka squandered a great chance in the closing stages.
Arsenal’s frustration was epitomised by the fact they had an xG of 3.14 in the game, the most by a team against PSG in a Champions League game this season, while their 19 shots were also their most in a knockout match since having 20 away at Barcelona in March 2016.
Speaking to TNT Sports, Arsenal captain Odegaard said: “We gave it a proper go. We started the game really well. We were on the front foot, had the momentum, a few big chances but in the end it wasn’t enough.
“Between the boxes we did well, but over the two games we weren’t good enough.
“Credit to their goalkeeper who made amazing saves. It wasn’t enough and that’s painful.
“In the boxes, especially today what we did with the ball between the boxes, we dominated the ball and took control of the game from the start. We were not strong enough in the boxes and that’s where we lost it.
“It’s painful, we wanted to do the big thing, a big goal in the league and the Champions League. Massive disappointment but we have to stay strong and together. Take the lessons, take the pain and use it to come back stronger.
“We have to learn from this. We did a lot of good things but it’s not enough. In front of goal is where games are decided and that’s where we have to be sharper. We have to use this pain in a good way.” Odegaard said
Arsenal were featuring in their first Champions League final since the 2008-09 season.
This was their 201st match in the competition, the most of any side who have never lifted the trophy.
PSG, meanwhile, are just the third side to reach a European Cup/UEFA Champions League final having lost five games on their way to the final, along with Bayer Leverkusen in 2001-02 and Juventus in 2002-03, neither of whom won the trophy.
