No trophies for Arsenal this season after PSG advance to Champions League final

NEW DELHI: Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) secured their Champions League final spot with a 2-1 victory against Arsenal in the second leg of their semi-final, achieving a 3-1 aggregate win on Wednesday.Fabian Ruiz struck from outside the box in the 27th minute at the Parc des Princes, following Arsenal's initial attacking pressure.With PSG already ahead from Ousmane Dembele's first-leg goal, they maintained control despite Vitinha's missed penalty in the latter half.Achraf Hakimi extended their lead in the 72nd minute, whilst Bukayo Saka managed a consolation goal for Arsenal.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. The victory sparked celebrations across Paris, including the Champs-Elysees, as PSG advanced to face Inter Milan in Munich on May 31.This marks PSG's second Champions League final appearance, following their 2020 loss to Bayern Munich in Lisbon."We have worked hard as a club to get this and to deserve it. It has been a long, hard road," PSG captain Marquinhos told broadcaster Canal Plus."The job is done in terms of getting to the final but it's not finished, we want more. We really want to win the trophy."Arsenal's European aspirations ended, falling short of reaching their second final since losing to Barcelona 19 years ago in Paris.With their last trophy being the 2020 FA Cup, Arteta's squad now focuses on securing another second-place Premier League finish."To do what we have done in Paris today against this team is remarkable, but the fact is that we are out," admitted Arteta."Sometimes you have to applaud the opposition, and what the 'keeper did in both games. He won the game for them," he added regarding PSG's Gianluigi Donnarumma.The electrifying atmosphere in Paris witnessed PSG reaching a final before their supporters for the first time, unlike their 2020 semi-final victory against RB Leipzig during the pandemic's closed-door period.Despite pre-match excitement, PSG's previous Champions League disappointments and Dembele's absence from the starting lineup due to a hamstring issue raised concerns.Arsenal, strengthened by Thomas Partey's return from suspension, initially dominated with Rice heading wide and Donnarumma denying both Martinelli and Odegaard within eight minutes.PSG gradually improved, with Kvaratskhelia striking the post before Ruiz netted his first Champions League goal from Partey's clearance.Donnarumma's outstanding saves continued, notably denying Saka, before a controversial handball penalty against Lewis-Skelly, which Raya saved from Vitinha.Hakimi's subsequent goal, assisted by substitute Dembele, appeared decisive until Saka's response. Arsenal's hopes finally ended when Saka missed an open goal from Calafiori's cross, confirming PSG's triumph.