Sport
Arsenal can be even better next season
It wasn’t to be Arsenal’s night. Saturday’s Champions League final might have ended differently had Gabriel Magalhaes aimed his penalty kick a little lower to keep alive the Gunners’ penalty shootout hopes, but the final outcome was a reflection of Paris Saint-Germain’s superior quality.
They certainly had more to their game. While PSG fell behind to Kai Havertz’s early opener, the French giants were able to control the match from that point on. Luis Enrique has forged a team in his own identity and that came to the fore over the course of 120 minutes, even if a winning goal evaded them.
Mikel Arteta can be proud of what his players achieved. They pushed the most accomplished team in Europe all the way. Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Liverpool were all dismantled by PSG in this season’s Champions League, but Arsenal were able to restrict them in Budapest.
And yet it was clear to anyone who watched Arsenal’s performance in the Champions League final the evolution they must make to win these sorts of matches in the future. The Gunners must find a way to impose their own game on high-calibre opponents. Defensive strength can only take them so far.
Arsenal have grown dramatically under Arteta’s stewardship. The Spaniard has gone through a process to turn his team into Premier League champions and that process will continue this summer, into next season. The Gunners will bounce back from disappointment in Budapest to become even better.
“First of all you have to go through that pain, digest it, and turn it into fuel,” said Arteta when asked how Arsenal will respond to the setback. “To improve and to reach a different level, because it would demand a different level with the quality around Europe. I want to congratulate PSG because they are in my opinion the best team in the world.”
Speculation is already swirling over potential transfer targets. Julian Alvarez has been linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium with the Argentine forward reportedly keen on an exit from Atletico Madrid this summer. Barcelona are also interested, but might not have the transfer funds to do a deal for Alvarez after already spending €80m on Anthony Gordon.
Last summer, Arsenal spent over £250m on new players as Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi, Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke and Cristhian Mosquera all arrived in North London for a 2025/26 season that would ultimately lead in Premier League glory and a Champions League final appearance.
This summer, the Gunners can be more targeted in their spending. They don’t need to bring in as many players considering the squad depth already at Arteta’s disposal. Arsenal need another attacking dimension with a new left winger surely on the shopping list ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.
Jarrod Bowen has been mentioned as a possible target following West Ham’s relegation to the Championship. The England international is proven in the Premier League and would be a shrewd pick-up for Arsenal, although it could be argued Arteta needs even better on the left side of his forward line to catch PSG.
The outlook is positive for Arsenal. They have a core of young players who are only just getting started and now know what it takes to win title races and reach Champions League finals. While Saturday’s experience in Budapest was a painful one, it will help the Gunners in the years to come.
Some work in the transfer market will also help Arsenal take the next step forward. The Gunners have spent a lot on new players since Arteta’s appointment in 2019, but the value of that investment is now clear. This season could prove to be only the start of a period of dominance in North London.
