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00:00The fans identified with this group of players, the goalkeeper was again was
00:04world-class today and they're a proper team lower and they deserve to be in the
00:07final. But I would say Arsenal improved on last season when they went out against
00:12Bayern Munich. I'm with Martin, I agree they have a lot to be proud of but they
00:15need a bit more depth in a competition like this. You look at Barca, Inter, the
00:18depth player, Arsenal need a big summer in the transfer window. This is a huge
00:22moment for PSG, you just mentioned Donnarumma. He didn't just have to be
00:25exceptional, he had to be exceptional straight out the
00:29gates, didn't he? He had to be, right from the start, he had to be excellent.
00:33Yeah, we spoke about that before, about you can only stop so much and you can
00:38enter the box a lot and then you have to rely on a world-class keeper and they
00:43have a world-class keeper. You see that, you saw that in the first leg, kept a
00:45clean sheet and again tonight, he was close to keeping a clean sheet and he made
00:49some really, really important saves and really important moments.
00:52Mine, it's the one they really want, isn't it, as well, the Champions League. It's the one that PSG
00:56need to go all the way for their fan base, for everything, for all the players that have come in
01:00out of those doors as well. Yeah, and it's ironic, isn't it, Neymar, Messi,
01:03all these guys now, Mbappe out the door and suddenly they have a complete team,
01:08it just says you're, you know, with world-class stars but I've not seen front
01:12players work this hard. I mean, KovĂĄra Skelly, the amount of work he gets through
01:15to get back and help his colleagues, the midfield, the way it knits everything
01:19together, you know, they've got it all there. Hakeem here, as I say, what about his performance?
01:24Mendes on the left, we've not even spoken about, the keeper's there, if you, you know, how do you beat
01:30them? They have to be hot favourites to win this now. Arsenal have their own mentality that they
01:35can be proud of, but PSG as well, weathering an Arsenal comeback and weathering those early
01:38moments in the game as well. Yeah, and to be fair, they wouldn't have done that PSG in the past,
01:42they didn't have that resilience and I think this PSG team, they really struggled in that first half,
01:48Arsenal had them on the ropes, the only thing they didn't do lower, they didn't score and again,
01:52they're going to need that, but Marquinhos, he's been here through all these players, you know,
01:56the stars and now they've got a proper team and they deserve to be in the final, you have to say.
02:01There were moments in that game, Martin, where you looked at it and you just thought,
02:04could Arsenal do this? Could they, especially with the penalty save, the sack of goal,
02:08there were real moments and you were in commentary speaking in the first half about belief.
02:12This team has belief in bucket loads, it just wasn't enough tonight.
02:17You have to give them credit because they came out, you know, they walked the walk, didn't they?
02:21They talked the talk in the press conference, they said they were going to be brave,
02:24they were going to press high, they were going to take the team to the game to their opponents
02:29and they certainly did that. It's just that being clinical, scoring at the right moments,
02:33you know, those first 15 minutes, they were quite immense, so you consider how well they played at the Emirates,
02:38but Arsenal played equally as well here tonight, but again, it was, they rode that storm,
02:44they got through difficult moments and then they scored the necessary goals to win it.
02:47And just behind us celebrating now, Jack, don't look, just,
02:50there was a moment there, Luis Enrique, and he looked at the crowd and he kind of wiped his head back like that,
02:55took it all in and really like exhaled and went like this, like, it's just a moment for a brilliant manager.
03:02Credit to him, I know he's been through a tough time as well in his private life,
03:05and I think you see a team that has complete clarity on every single phase of the game
03:10and every single action they do, in possession, out of possession, and he's fantastic.
03:14I mean, what a coach, and you can see the players as well, how much they care for him,
03:18how much they want to play for him.
03:19He has a lot of that great man management about him, Luis Enrique,
03:23and the way that he brings modern things into the game and tries new things with his players.
03:28But you know what, he was a brilliant player, and he understands the makeup of the dressing room,
03:31he understands that you can't carry any players in the Champions League,
03:34the players are too good, and now that they work as a team,
03:38they're so much more effective, PSG, and they're actually fun to watch.
03:40They've captured the hearts of Paris fans, captured the hearts of French fans,
03:44and even the neutrals, I think they're a good watch, PSG, and credit the manager.
03:48It all starts with the manager, we've seen that,
03:50and he's got a brilliant group of players that work so hard.
03:53Arsenal, and Mikel Arteta especially, he was criticised slightly for tactics at parts of the season,
03:59and in the first day perhaps, what did you think of the way that you approached the game tonight, Martin?
04:02Yeah, I was calling for that.
04:04I'd seen a lot of the footage.
04:06I think the first 20 minutes in the first tie, they gave us a bit of a lesson,
04:10and he learnt from that tonight.
04:11He made sure he pressed really high.
04:13Declan Rice being able to do that in midfield,
04:15Partey was giving that assurance, although he was a part of the goal that we conceded.
04:19Of course, the ball was headed back into an area where they punished us.
04:23But all in all, I think the tactics were perfect.
04:26Again, you saw the manager learning from the first game.
04:28It was just in that final third where you needed a box in the box, somebody who was going to really hurt them.
04:34There were times when, you know, when they were counterattacking us, they had real pace,
04:38but we didn't have the same weapons to hurt them with, and I think that's where the change will come.
04:43Big recruitment will come in the summer.
04:45But I think when you think about tactically, you think about the goals they conceded.
04:49So one's a set play where someone maybe switches off because of a poor header,
04:53and then the second one, someone gives the ball away and you get hurt on transition.
04:55So I agree.
04:56I think tactically it was OK, and they're just them small little moments of quality where you were lacking.
05:01Right, we get a chance to see all the goals, and when we come back, get some analysis on those,
05:05and also hopefully hear from a few of these players and maybe the manager as well.
05:08So do stay with us.
05:09I mean, there is loads more football to tell you about on TNT Sport that we desperately want you to watch with us
05:14because it's brilliant.
05:16OK, here it is.
05:16The conclusion of the Europa and Conference League semifinals tomorrow.
05:20Manchester United, Spurs, Chelsea, all ahead, and all of which you can enjoy with us live on TNT Sports.
05:26First up, we'll be in Belfau as well in a fortnight's time for the Europa League final.
05:30We're off to Lisbon after that on the 24th, the Women's Champions League final.
05:34Arsenal did make the final in that one.
05:36They faced Barcelona.
05:37Following Wednesday, we're going to be in Poland for the Conference League showpiece league final,
05:42and that's going to be on Saturday, the 31st.
05:45And then we'll be in Munich, of course, where we're going to see who is going to be crowned the kings of Europe.
05:50PSG are taking on Intel.
05:52Wow, what a final that's going to be.
05:54On top of that, TNT Sports is also now the home of cycling,
05:57and on Friday, we're going to bring you every stage of the Giro d'Italia,
06:00the first of 2025's three grand tours.
06:03Coverage starts at midday on TNT Sports and Discovery+.
06:07Well, Paris is the end of the road for the Gunners.
06:13Arsenal put on a brilliant display at times tonight.
06:15They came out fighting, just wasn't enough to take down PSG in Paris.
06:20It's Paris Saint-Germain that advanced to the final of the Champions League.
06:24This programme is brought to you by Walkers,
06:33UEFA Champions League official sponsor.
06:41TNT Sports, powered by Maitre.
06:48Heartbreak for the Gunners in Paris.
06:50They put it all on the line.
06:51They gave it all they had, but they came up short against a brilliant PSG side.
06:56And a PSG side that put their place in the final for only the second time
06:59in their history in the Champions League.
07:01Luis Enrico has done wonders with this squad.
07:04What can they do?
07:05Can they win against Inter?
07:06We'll find out.
07:07Not so long in Munich, but meanwhile here in Paris,
07:10what a night to remember for these guys.
07:12Celebrations all across.
07:14Huge fireworks.
07:15A night that's probably going to last for a very long time tonight.
07:18Oh, OK, let's remind ourselves a bit exactly how this happened.
07:22Because one thing that is quite interesting about this game
07:24is this is the most amount of shots, 20, that PSG have conceded at home
07:28in all competitions, all season.
07:31And that is so impressive.
07:32And perhaps says something about the way that Arsenal went after this game, Jack.
07:35Yeah, I think that's credit to them.
07:37It's clear what type of game they wanted.
07:39They wanted to be on the front foot.
07:40They wanted to be aggressive from the start.
07:41But you can see, with all them shots and only four, maybe five on target,
07:46that's the finishing quality.
07:47At this level, you need it.
07:49You're an Arsenal fan watching at home, Martin.
07:51Are you proud of the way they went after it?
07:53Are you frustrated with the way they approached the game?
07:54What do you think?
07:55I think both, really.
07:56I don't think they would have been surprised, some of the fans,
07:59because in front of goal, it's been tricky.
08:02You know, obviously since February, where you've lost Habert.
08:05Jesus was already injured.
08:07I think it was a gallant performance tonight.
08:10Definitely can be proud of that.
08:11But it's about being more clinical in front of goal.
08:13And that's, you know, either that's another player,
08:16or they find another way to score goals.
08:18But tonight, that's an area where we were sadly lacking, really,
08:22when it really came down to it.
08:24There were so many chances so early on.
08:26They'll look at that back and think, oh, my goodness,
08:28if only one of those had gone in,
08:29it could have changed the complex of the whole game.
08:31You're right, Laura.
08:32You just need one to four your way.
08:33You know, and obviously, they don't have that striker.
08:35And Kai Havert's done a brilliant job filling in there.
08:38But if you think about when the moments came for PSG, they won them.
08:41Got a room and made big saves.
08:42And I thought Arsenal, credit Mikel.
08:43He had a game plan at the beginning of the game.
08:45You know, long balls, crosses, throw-ins,
08:47and they actually dominated the game.
08:49But they needed a goal to show for it, Laura.
08:50Against a run of play, PSG got a goal.
08:52And then I think that changed the momentum of the game.
08:54But before the game, I said to Mikel about second balls.
08:57It's such a little thing.
08:58But you know what?
08:58In this game, it adds up.
08:59The first goal is the second ball.
09:01Headed from Partey, you win the second one.
09:02He won't be sleeping for two or three nights.
09:05But, you know, I think he can be proud of what he offered tonight.
09:07He was causing major problems to Mendes, Mendes' early booking.
09:11We didn't see a lot of him in an attacking sense tonight
09:13because of Saka on the pitch.
09:14I know, Jack, like they won't be feeling it now.
09:16And there's always a question to say,
09:18what do they learn from getting this far in the competition?
09:20And, you know, will they come back stronger next season?
09:22But do you think genuinely Arsenal, as a team,
09:26are getting closer and closer to something?
09:28Yeah, I do.
09:29And I know that the fans and the people at home
09:32will be frustrated with this
09:34and probably frustrated with me saying it.
09:36But I do.
09:36And it is another step.
09:39And, of course, like where we were,
09:40I mean, there was probably four or five years
09:42where we didn't qualify for the Champions League.
09:43And that was really tough.
09:45And Mikel came in and, you know,
09:46he had to build something from always from the start
09:49and get rid of players and bring some players in.
09:52And I think, as I said before,
09:53when you look at PSG is probably a good example.
09:56They haven't won it in ages.
09:57And it feels like it's probably their time now.
09:59And as frustrating as it is for us Arsenal fans,
10:02it's unfortunately we're probably going to have to go through that process.
10:05They can't do it for too long or keep doing it like this
10:08because they don't want to become the Neely team
10:10that always misses out.
10:11Second place in the Premier League again and again,
10:13semi-finals of Champions League.
10:14I mean, some teams will bite your hand off for that.
10:16But do they need more?
10:18I think it's a bit unfair in Arsenal.
10:19I still think they're a young team.
10:20I think they're developing.
10:21I think they progressed from last year
10:22when they went out against Bayern.
10:24I think they've improved dramatically this year.
10:26They're missing two of the best players,
10:27Kai Havertz and Gabriel.
10:29And they need a striker.
10:30So if you look at the depth of the other semi-finalists,
10:33they've got way more depth and opportunity to rotate players.
10:36I think Arsenal, Jack made a great point.
10:39How hard it was for City and PSG to win this Champions League.
10:41It's hard.
10:41There's a lot of great teams with bigger budgets than Arsenal.
10:44But this summer, we'd love to see the club going back Mikel
10:47and bring in a striker or maybe bring in another one
10:50because I think goal-scoring-wise,
10:52I think they're 19 less than Liverpool.
10:54That's a big difference.
10:55They're this close.
10:56But they need to invest to get the players to help them
10:58make that final step.
10:59Yeah.
11:00Okay, let's get some reaction there with a PSG fan.
11:02And Jules is speaking with Rashmin Choudry now.
11:05Laura, thank you.
11:06Yeah, he is our French football expert,
11:08but he is a PSG super fan.
11:11And do you know what?
11:11I can confirm.
11:12You didn't actually breathe up in the gantry
11:15when we were watching until Hakimi scored.
11:17How do you feel now?
11:18Deep breath.
11:19Better.
11:19I could not even sit down, to be fair.
11:21I had to stand up the whole game.
11:23It was tough because Arsenal made it tough for PSG.
11:25And we said before the game, all of us,
11:27that there was not much between the two teams.
11:29It was fan margin in the first leg,
11:32same in the second leg.
11:33Maybe Arsenal lose this tie in the first 15 minutes
11:35at the Emirates and in the first minutes tonight
11:37because they could have been tuned up to that, really.
11:40And I think this is those moments
11:41that the boys were talking about as well
11:43where you have to take your chance.
11:44And if you let it go, then you get punished.
11:47But you didn't get punished.
11:48You didn't let it go.
11:49You are through to the final.
11:51Tell me, what does it mean for this club?
11:53It's the second final now, isn't it?
11:54The last one was behind closed doors in 2020.
11:56And, of course, you didn't win it.
11:58But you're there now.
12:00How much does this mean for this group of players
12:02and for this club that's waited so long
12:04for something like this?
12:06It's always been the holy grail, really.
12:07Even back in the 90s, when David Ginola,
12:10who was here for French television, was playing,
12:11they came close twice and two semifinals in Europe
12:14but never got over the line.
12:15And then there was that final, you're right, in 2020,
12:18behind closed doors where it's the Mbappe and Neymar team,
12:22the variety team and Thomas Tuchel on the bench
12:24and Bayern were maybe just a little bit too clinical
12:27for PSG, who were still learning.
12:29This is a different story.
12:30It's a different team.
12:31It's a young team.
12:32It's Luis Enrique's team.
12:33It's his birthday tomorrow.
12:34It's 55.
12:35Ten years ago, he won it with Barcelona.
12:37And, yeah, maybe this is the year.
12:39But still, you saw today how they were rattled.
12:41Same at Villa Park.
12:42And they will face the oldest team,
12:44the most experienced team,
12:45is this competition in Inter Milan.
12:46And it won't be easy,
12:47but I think they all believe that this could be the year.
12:49And this is the thing.
12:50I mean, you mentioned Luis Enrique.
12:51He won the treble.
12:53PSG are on for a treble this season.
12:55Yeah, they are.
12:56They are.
12:56For such a young team, really,
12:58today the average age is 24.7.
13:00You know, Dembele,
13:01apart from Dembele and Marquinhos, really,
13:04the others are below the age of 26.
13:07So for them to win the league, this is a given.
13:09The French Cup final is May 24th,
13:12but the big one will be this one at the end of the month.
13:13Now you've got to tell me, can you win it?
13:16Yeah, of course.
13:17I think over one game,
13:18this team is so good that they can beat anybody.
13:21But I think they will have to learn a lot
13:23from what happened tonight.
13:25And then they will fancy their chances
13:26because they should.
13:27They've been probably in 2025 the best team in Europe.
13:30You know, we need to let you, Gilles,
13:31just leave here and just forget about work
13:34and just finally enjoy what is happening.
13:37Actually, go out and celebrate
13:38in this beautiful city of Paris
13:39because look at that.
13:40You are through to the Champions League final.
13:42Laura, back to you.
13:44Yeah, Gilles has got a sleepless night ahead of him.
13:46Wish we could join him, Gilles.
13:48Listen, PSG, brilliant all season,
13:49as the guys were saying,
13:50but Arsenal were the ones
13:52that came up short against them tonight.
13:54Arsenal frustrated.
13:55Mikel Arteta there, you could see,
13:57wasn't quite enough for him.
13:58We're actually going to hear
13:58from the Arsenal manager next,
14:00so do stay with us.
14:01We'll be back in a few moments.
14:02Initial thoughts after that?
14:08Well, first of all,
14:09congratulate PSG for reaching the final.
14:13The assessment, I will make it
14:15when I'm a little bit cooler,
14:16but the feedback that I got
14:18is straight away from their bench
14:19is that we're much better than them.
14:21When you look at the two games,
14:23who has been their best player on the pitch,
14:25has been their goalkeeper.
14:27He's made a difference for them in the tie
14:29and I think we were very close,
14:31it's much closer than the results showed,
14:34but unfortunately we are out.
14:36I'm very proud of the players,
14:37what we've done today,
14:38the way we started,
14:39how we handled the pressure,
14:41the amount of pressure.
14:41After 20 minutes,
14:42it should be 3-0.
14:44But, yeah,
14:46there is something extra
14:47that you need in the competition
14:48to go your way,
14:50and it didn't.
14:51Are you proud of the fact
14:53that it's the second season
14:54in the Champions League,
14:55quarter-finals,
14:56semi-finals,
14:57what ultimately might get you
14:59over the line potentially next season?
15:01I don't know,
15:01I'm upset.
15:02And we should not be.
15:04Yeah,
15:04we were very close,
15:06yes,
15:06for long periods of both games,
15:08we were much better than them.
15:10But we are not there
15:11and that has to hurt.
15:12And if we don't want,
15:13if we want to win this competition
15:15and go there,
15:16we need to realise that.
15:18And there are certain things
15:18that are on us.
15:20And you shouldn't be just
15:22understanding that we are out.
15:25It's not the way I look at it.
15:27Are you happy
15:28or have you seen enough progress
15:30with your team this season?
15:32Yeah.
15:33100% I don't think
15:34there's been a better team
15:35in the competition so far,
15:37what I've seen.
15:38But we are out tonight.
15:41We deserve much more,
15:43I think,
15:43in both games.
15:43But this competition
15:46is about the boxes
15:47and in the boxes
15:48there are normally
15:48the strikers
15:49most of the time
15:50and a goalkeeper.
15:52And he was the best player
15:53in both games.
15:54Ultimately,
15:55what do you want to do
15:56over the summer
15:57to make changes
15:59or add to get further?
16:01I'm so proud of
16:01the boys
16:02and
16:03what they deserve
16:05a lot of credit
16:05for what they're doing
16:06in the context
16:07and the situation
16:08and with the amount
16:09of injuries.
16:09We have arrived here
16:10probably in the worst state
16:12that you can arrive
16:13as a team.
16:14You have to get here
16:15with everybody's feet
16:15available,
16:16with a lot of minutes,
16:18with rest,
16:19like they had a week.
16:20We come here
16:21in a completely different context
16:22and still do that.
16:23So that gives me
16:24a lot of positivity
16:25for the future.
16:26But tonight,
16:27I'm very upset.
16:28and Mikel,
16:29thank you for talking
16:30to us anyway.
16:31And it'll sting
16:32for a while.
16:32Martin,
16:33he talks about
16:33the progression
16:34that they've made
16:34that he's happy
16:35with that.
16:35Where do you stand
16:36on Arsenal's progression?
16:38Well,
16:39to be honest,
16:39I agree with a lot
16:40what the manager
16:41has said there tonight
16:41about being proud
16:42with the group.
16:43There was a lot
16:44of pressure on them
16:44those first 15 minutes.
16:46They really took the game
16:47to their opponent.
16:48Just weren't clinical enough.
16:50That's where they failed,
16:51really.
16:51But I think the journey
16:52that they're on,
16:53I think he's putting
16:54the pieces together
16:54in this jigsaw piece.
16:56It's a long winding road.
16:58It's not a straight path
16:59to success.
17:00And I know
17:01what that feels like.
17:02And he's talked
17:02before this game tonight
17:03about the hurt,
17:04anger,
17:05and using it
17:06as energy
17:07into tonight's game.
17:07They did that.
17:08And that's what
17:09they're going to have
17:09to build upon
17:10for next season.
17:11I was in an Arsenal team
17:12that went three seasons,
17:13second best
17:14to Manchester United.
17:16Disappointments
17:17in major cup finals.
17:18Okay,
17:18this is almost
17:18like a cup final here.
17:20They've got to bounce back
17:21and make sure
17:22that they build from there.
17:23It's a foundation
17:23to build from now,
17:24but obviously recruitment,
17:25is key to that.
17:27You know,
17:27we look at this team
17:28here tonight.
17:29They bought
17:29Kovar Askelius
17:30in January
17:31for ÂŁ80 million
17:32and they made a statement
17:34and look how important
17:35he's been to them.
17:35So, you know,
17:36I think Arsenal
17:37got caught on the hop
17:37a little bit
17:38with the injuries
17:38that they had,
17:40but I think
17:41they've done well.
17:42With the players
17:42he's at at his disposal,
17:44I think they've gone
17:44a hell of a long way
17:45in this tournament.
17:46What was it you think
17:47took your team
17:47over the line?
17:49Belief.
17:50This won't happen
17:51to us again.
17:52It can't happen.
17:53The hurt.
17:54We'll find a way
17:55to be successful
17:56and we were lucky enough
17:57and fortunate enough
17:58to go and do that.
17:59But you have to stick
18:00together right now.
18:01You know,
18:01it's about tying down
18:02these players
18:03the likes of Saliba,
18:04keep him at the football club.
18:06This is the back four
18:07that Arsenal have got.
18:07OK, Gabriel not available.
18:09Some of the best defenders
18:10in Europe.
18:11So it's a look
18:12at the positives.
18:12Declan Rice
18:13has been going
18:14from strength to strength.
18:15You know,
18:16it's certain areas
18:17of the pitch.
18:17It's not massive jobs
18:18here to put the icing
18:19on the cake
18:20for Arsenal
18:20to be successful.
18:21Jack,
18:21you praise how good
18:22a coach Mikel Arteta
18:23is and knowing him
18:24from playing
18:25and also his time
18:26in coaching
18:27and you learning
18:28a little bit
18:28and being inspired
18:29by him.
18:30But has he had
18:30enough support
18:31in terms of
18:32the hierarchy
18:33above him
18:33giving him
18:34the right players
18:35or giving him
18:36the right sort
18:36of budget for it?
18:37Well,
18:39we've definitely
18:40spent some money.
18:43Maybe we could
18:43have spent more.
18:44I think a big thing
18:45is the injuries.
18:46Honestly,
18:46and I know
18:47people will say
18:48that's an excuse.
18:48It's not an excuse.
18:49It's a fact.
18:51Owen mentioned earlier
18:52about Milan
18:53having the possibility
18:54to make changes.
18:55Barcelona brought on
18:56Lewandowski
18:56off the bench
18:57to try and find something.
18:58So, of course,
18:59it makes a difference.
19:00They have to find a way
19:01to be able to keep
19:03these players fit
19:04for the whole season
19:04and be able to make
19:05them compete.
19:06I see a lot of
19:07similarities with what
19:08Martin's saying
19:09with his team.
19:10I played in a team
19:11that for years and years
19:13was questioned
19:13of lack of leadership
19:14and probably rightly so.
19:16We didn't have the leaders
19:16in Martin's group
19:18and we probably didn't
19:18have the leaders
19:19that this group has now.
19:20I think that's how
19:22the answer to your question
19:23before how they bounce back
19:24is they need them leaders.
19:25They need to make sure
19:27that this hurts.
19:28This hurts
19:28and they understand
19:30what they did wrong
19:30and they try and make it
19:31better next year.
19:32One of those leaders
19:33in the team
19:34is obviously Declan Rice.
19:35Let's get some reaction
19:36because Becky Ives
19:37is speaking to him now.
19:39Dirk, simply do you
19:40have the words right now?
19:42Yeah, look, it's gutting.
19:45Such a dominant start.
19:47If you score one of them
19:48chances probably in the
19:49first 15, 20 minutes
19:51the game completely
19:52changes on his head
19:53and then just the small
19:55margins in football,
19:56you know, two mistakes
19:57from us, two goals
19:59for them and obviously
20:00with the chances we'd
20:01missed it just felt like
20:03it wasn't meant to be.
20:03You know, we give it
20:04absolutely everything.
20:05This competition,
20:06you're either in or you're
20:06out and over the two legs
20:08could have scored some
20:10three or four goals
20:12to be honest with you
20:13but Donnarumma's
20:13been unbelievable
20:14and you've got to look
20:15at the small margins
20:16it just obviously wasn't
20:17meant to be.
20:18Quarterfinals last year,
20:19semifinals this year.
20:21Next year, what does get
20:22this over the line?
20:24Yeah, look, in life
20:25in general I think
20:26sometimes you have to
20:27lose a few in order to
20:28win and you have to
20:29overcome some of these
20:30setbacks and mentally
20:31grow and grow as a
20:33person and as a player
20:34and as a group and I
20:35think we're going through
20:36that stage at the minute
20:36after a few losses in
20:38terms of losing out in
20:39the league, coming close
20:41in the Champions League
20:41back-to-back years.
20:43So look, we're growing
20:44as a team, as people
20:45but we need to keep
20:47pushing and keep
20:48believing, you know,
20:49this is why we play
20:49this sport.
20:50There's going to be
20:51setbacks along the way.
20:52PSG have obviously
20:53gone through tonight,
20:54we're absolutely guided
20:55but this isn't going to
20:56define us for sure,
20:57you know, we're going
20:57to be back and when we
20:59get our players back
21:00that have been out for
21:01a very long time,
21:02we're going to be a
21:02much stronger outfit
21:03so we've got to keep
21:03going.
21:04Do you think ultimately
21:05not having the full
21:06squad when you get to
21:07this point in a
21:08competition is actually
21:09a bit of a game
21:10changer?
21:10Yeah, it's tough.
21:12We've done the whole
21:12season without five or
21:14six of our best players
21:15and to be where we are
21:16and to do what we've
21:17done has been
21:17unbelievable, fully
21:18stand by that.
21:21In the end, you know,
21:21the group of players
21:22that have gone out
21:22there have given it
21:23absolutely everything,
21:24the whole squad has,
21:25even the players that
21:26flew over with us
21:27tonight that have been
21:27injured, every staff
21:28member and everyone
21:30fully believed and I
21:31think you could see
21:31that from the first
21:32whistle how much we
21:33believe we could win
21:34and go out there and
21:35put on a performance
21:36and like you said on
21:37another night we maybe
21:38scored two or three
21:39tonight.
21:39It was just that first
21:4120 minutes where they
21:44score and we obviously
21:45had them chances where
21:46we didn't score, it was
21:47a real kick in the
21:47teeth so yeah, we'll
21:49assess it, we'll be
21:50back and three games
21:52left, it's been a really
21:53long season, we've
21:54really, really wanted
21:55this one but yeah, we'll
21:57keep pushing because
21:58this is why we play this
21:59ball, you know, we want
21:59to win and we want to do
22:01the best we can.
22:01For you and that
22:02dressing room, you're in
22:03it every day, what's it
22:04like coming up so close
22:05each season and just not
22:07quite nailing that
22:07trophy which is what
22:08ultimately everybody
22:09wants?
22:10Yeah, we're all
22:11desperate for it, you
22:12know, that's why we play
22:13football, that's why we
22:14play this game, you
22:15know, we want to win
22:16trophies, we want to be
22:18at the pinnacle of
22:18football winning stuff
22:19but like I said,
22:21obviously for whatever
22:22reason these last two
22:23years in the cup
22:25competitions in the
22:26Premier League hasn't
22:26been meant to be, you
22:27know, we've been really
22:28really close, it's
22:29obviously not good
22:30enough because Arsenal
22:31are a club that
22:32deserve to be winning
22:32trophies and deserve to
22:33be pushing and there's
22:34not a lot more we can
22:35really be doing.
22:37But like I said,
22:38sometimes in life you
22:39have to go through
22:40these small losses in
22:41order to win big and
22:42that's what a lot of
22:43these big superstars
22:44have done in the past,
22:44you know, they've all
22:45suffered defeats to
22:46then come out on top
22:46and I'm sure this group
22:48will because it hurts,
22:50you see the boys in
22:51there, you see the
22:51manager, yeah, it's
22:55tough, it's the
22:55semi-final, we wanted
22:57to be in Munich and
22:58it's obviously not
22:59meant to be but it
23:00doesn't define us like
23:01I said and we'll be
23:01back for sure.
23:02Dech, thank you.
23:04Good on Dech coming
23:05out and speaking, it
23:05must be very, very
23:06difficult straight after
23:07a game like that and to
23:08experience the highs and
23:09lows of the last two
23:11legs and actually the
23:11road that they've taken
23:12to get here, Owen.
23:13I mean, you've been part
23:14of teams twice that have
23:15gone on and won this.
23:17It is so difficult to
23:18even get to the final of
23:20Champions League and
23:20obviously only the best
23:21of the best can actually
23:22do it and go and win.
23:23How painful will it be
23:25and how quickly do they
23:27need to bounce back as a
23:28team?
23:28It will be painful but
23:30they're young, you know
23:30and you've got to think
23:32Declan, you know, after
23:33being at West Ham and
23:34coming here, we had in
23:35all the teams I played
23:36and we had a lot of
23:37experienced players,
23:38really experienced
23:38players that have been
23:39there and done it.
23:40Dech would have been
23:40one of the youngest so
23:41I think they need to add
23:42maybe players that have
23:43been there in these
23:44games like you look at
23:46Inter have, that PSG
23:48have, you look at
23:48Marquinhos.
23:50Arsenal are so close to
23:52being one of the best
23:52teams all about, Premier
23:54League and Champions League
23:54but they just need a
23:56little bit more, a bit
23:56more squad depth and a
23:57bit of players.
23:58That have been there
23:59and done it, like
23:59Mikel came to this
24:00Arsenal team and helped
24:01the young lads out like
24:02Jack.
24:03I think they need that
24:03and then they can take
24:04that final step.
24:05Marquinhos is a good
24:06example, isn't he?
24:06He's been on the end of
24:07some massive disappointments
24:08and in the end he gets
24:09to cheer, he gets to
24:10celebrate and he maybe
24:11gets to win a
24:12Champions League.
24:13As I say, that pathway
24:14to success, sometimes a
24:16long winding path and it
24:17is right now for these
24:18Arsenal players.
24:19It will be a long way
24:20home as well for the
24:21fans that managed to come
24:21out here, get themselves
24:22a ticket and support
24:23their team and it was
24:24important obviously that
24:25they did.
24:26They're getting used to
24:27this disappointment as
24:28well but as you said
24:29earlier on, Jack, there
24:30was a long period of
24:31time where Arsenal didn't
24:31have a sniff at any
24:32kind of Champions League
24:33action.
24:34Yeah and I got on the
24:35Eurostar this morning
24:36and there was loads and
24:38loads of Arsenal fans
24:38we were talking, we
24:39were chatting and they
24:40were all so positive
24:41about this team and how
24:43far we've come and of
24:44course they were
24:44desperate just to take
24:45that last step but as
24:46the guys are saying
24:47it's a long journey and
24:49they're right, if you're
24:51not going to go and buy
24:52players that have been
24:53there, the other way to
24:54do it is go through it
24:55and experience the failure
24:56and then come back
24:57stronger and I agree
24:58with her and I think a
24:59little bit of experience
24:59will help this group, it
25:00definitely helped me and
25:01yeah I think they need
25:02that a little bit.
25:03Alright we're going to
25:04switch up the mood a
25:04little bit after this
25:05break because we've now
25:06got two brilliant and
25:07very worthy finalists.
25:09They've got a day in
25:10Munich, PSG face Inter,
25:13we'll look at Inter's
25:14journey and wow the
25:15number of goals, 7-6
25:17beating Barcelona across
25:18those two legs, highest
25:20scoring, joint highest
25:21scoring game in Champions
25:23League history and we'll
25:24discuss how they'll get on
25:26against PSG.
25:27See you in a moment.
25:30The ones that they did
25:31put on target, that one
25:32from Bakayo was an
25:33amazing effort and he
25:34just pulled it out of
25:35nowhere.
25:35So what happens in the
25:37final, who are you going
25:38for Owen?
25:39I think PSG but one
25:42thing I would say the
25:42team that has less
25:43possession often wins
25:44these games and that
25:45would be Inter but I'm
25:45going to go PSG, I
25:46think it's their time.
25:47Martin?
25:47PSG have a better
25:48balance than Barcelona and I
25:49think they'll see them
25:50win it.
25:50I'm going against them,
25:51I'm going Inter.
25:52I fancy Inter as well, I
25:54actually do.
25:55I can't see them losing
25:56in the final.
25:56He's a manager now, he's
25:57going on a set, it's
25:58an offensive.
25:58Pragmatic approach.
26:00What sort of game is it
26:00going to be?
26:01How do you predict that
26:03one Owen?
26:03PSG will dominate and
26:04Inter will hit them on
26:05the counter just like
26:05they did Barca.
26:06They did it to Bayern
26:07really well, did it to
26:08Barca, I'm sure they'll
26:09try the same.
26:10And again, it took time to
26:11get to this place and
26:13they're ready for it.
26:14Yeah.
26:14Alright, I'm just
26:15seeing Luis Arjenko
26:15go down the tunnel
26:16cuddling what looks like
26:17everybody in the stands,
26:19everybody up there as
26:20well.
26:20Obviously a great night
26:21for him and what a
26:21brilliant manager for
26:22Mikel Arteta.
26:24Disappointment for him.
26:25What would your message
26:25be to that Arsenal side?
26:27I think you can see how
26:28much they hurt and
26:29listen, no one cares
26:30more than Mikel.
26:31I've seen him every day,
26:32the energy he puts in.
26:33You can see with Dex,
26:34there's a real
26:35togetherness, there's a
26:36real, they've started to
26:38add leadership.
26:39Dex is a top leader and
26:40like we said, that's how
26:41they recover from this,
26:43that's how they bounce
26:43back next year is, yeah,
26:45take it in, it hurts,
26:46move on.
26:47Right guys, that is it.
26:48Thank you so much.
26:49You lot were brilliant
26:50company.
26:51Obviously Martin, not the
26:52result that the Arsenal
26:53fans, the travelling ones
26:54especially, wanted tonight
26:55but we do have a brilliant
26:57final to look forward to
26:58in Munich.
26:58Thank you all of you for
26:59watching as well and we
27:01will see you in a few
27:01weeks' time for that one.
27:02Take care.