It's just brutal. Arsenal star: Something like this certainly doesn't define us

Reporting directly from Budapest

Until the 65th minute, the score was 1-0 in favour of the new English champions, Arsenal FC, who were just 30 minutes away from the most successful season in the club's history. However, a foul on a penetrating Paris Saint-Germain player inside the penalty area led German referee Daniel Siebert to point to the spot.

Ousmane Dembélé stepped up and decisively converted the penalty to level the score at 1-1. The scoreline remained unchanged through full-time and two periods of extra time, despite PSG coming close to a winner. The match was ultimately decided by a penalty shootout, where two Gunners players missed, allowing the football giant from Paris to celebrate their historic second Champions League triumph.

"It's a tough way to lose," lamented Arsenal's Norwegian captain, Martin Ødegaard, shortly after the match, highlighting the unpredictable nature of a penalty shootout. "It's brutal. And yes, a game like this is decided by small details, and that's even more true for penalties. That's the reality of football, and we have to deal with it. Of course, we're disappointed right now. It's a very tough loss."

The clash between the 'eared trophy' defender and London's Arsenal was initially defined by a very early goal from Germany's Kai Havertz in the 6th minute. Following that, the crowd of over 61,000 at Budapest's Puskás Aréna witnessed a relentless siege on the Gunners' penalty area, but their defence held firm.

The complexion of the game shifted slightly after Dembélé's penalty, but over the entire match, Arsenal managed only 25% possession and one shot on target. According to the 27-year-old Ødegaard, his team had nothing to be ashamed of; on the contrary, he praised his teammates for their excellent defensive performance. "I think we defended very well. PSG obviously had the ball a lot, but they didn't create anything," the Norwegian said confidently.

"Then PSG equalised from a penalty, and after that, I think it was quite even. We had the upper hand at times, they had it at others, and it could have gone either way. So it's about the small details. We did everything we could, and it's just tough to lose like this," Ødegaard repeated, with clear disappointment on his face. He watched the shootout from the bench, having been substituted in the 67th minute for Sweden's Viktor Gyökeres.

"To end up empty-handed is brutal," Ødegaard said, bowing his head. "But that's also part of football. Despite this, we've achieved amazing things this season. We'll get over this loss and come back even stronger next year," he declared, stressing that he believes the Gunners are on an upward trajectory.

"We fully believe in our team and our quality. Last year we reached the semi-finals, and this year we took another step. It's just a shame we couldn't win it. So, we hope to do it next year," the North Londoners' captain wished.

England international Declan Rice expressed a similar sentiment after the match, appearing somewhat more composed about the sad fate of the losing team in a major final. The Arsenal midfielder pointed out the incredible fact that this was his teammates' 63rd game of the season.

"It's been an incredible journey. Winning the Premier League after 22 years was a dream, and getting to this final was also a dream come true," Rice admitted, "but tonight it just wasn't meant to be. To lose a Champions League final on penalties is about small margins, and it really hurts. But that certainly doesn't define this group of players. We'll definitely be able to bounce back from this and return even stronger."

"We're proud of ourselves tonight. How far we've come this year and how far we've come as a team has been really special. Of course, we're devastated and disappointed to have lost this final. Congratulations to PSG, because they've been the best team in Europe for the last few seasons, so credit to them. But we're still devastated," the Premier League star repeated.

Rice then admitted that despite the unfortunate loss on penalties, the club can be rightly proud of what they achieved this season. Arsenal ended a long 22-year wait for a league title and were just a whisker away from their first-ever Champions League trophy.

"I think since I came to this club, we've been on an upward trajectory. This year, we were in all competitions until February, March, and into May. It's been really tough and mentally draining. We've been playing three games a week since October. That's why I'm so proud of these lads and players," he said, paying tribute to his teammates and also highlighting how they managed to neutralise almost all of Saint-Germain's attacking threats.

"We really nullified them. They didn't have many chances today, and we created some opportunities ourselves. In the end, we really felt it could go our way. But I guess it wasn't meant to be. As I said, this doesn't define us," Rice reiterated.

"We will continue to use this moment as a driving force for the coming seasons. And you know, when I talk to the players and of course the manager, there's no reason why we should stop here. We'll be even stronger next year. And yes, we'll be ready again. So, these are exciting times for this football club," he said, praising Arsenal's growing strength in recent years.

Spanish manager Mikel Arteta is largely responsible for this, and Declan Rice also paid him a huge compliment, mentioning what the former great midfielder told his players shortly after the final loss: "He told us he loves us all, to keep our heads up, and to be proud of what we've achieved this season. I can imagine it's hard for a manager to find the right words right after a final, but you know, he's someone we all look up to."

"He's a person who supports us one hundred percent every single day. He's someone we go to for advice and encouragement. In the tough moments this year, he was there for all of us. And that's why we were so happy to win the Premier League for him, because he deserves it," the English midfielder continued.

"Not winning it tonight for everyone involved – all the staff, the manager, the players – is of course devastating, because a penalty shootout is a lottery, but that's how football can be. But it certainly doesn't define us. As I said, I'm sure we'll come back stronger," concluded Declan Rice as he headed for the waiting team bus.