French publication L'Equipe criticized Arsenal after Mikel Arteta's side lost the Champions League final on penalties to PSG in Budapest. The newspaper reported that Arsenal deserved to lose after they "parked a double-decker bus" and called their attack a "sorry mess".
Arsenal scored in the sixth minute through Kai Havertz, which was the team's only shot on target during the match. The Gunners held 25 per cent possession in a rigid defensive shape, leading L'Equipe to claim Arteta had "rejected his Barcelona legacy".
L'Equipe wrote, "For a long time, it seemed PSG would lose this final without even really playing, rendered powerless, locked down by the Gunners, who threw the key into the Danube before parking their double-decker bus in front of David Raya's goal."
The publication added, "Mikel Arteta's rejection of a Barcelona legacy, on the cusp of the best night of his career, can justify his defeat, as can this statistic: Havertz's goal was Arsenal's only shot on target, a sorry mess with players like these, as if this club, built on attacking football, had shed all scruples to extinguish its reputation as a loser."
Match tactics and penalty shootout
PSG struggled to create many opportunities of note, but the French press felt the team "who tried to play" deserved to claim their second successive Champions League title. L'Equipe wrote, "Can you be European champion with only one shot on target, a constantly low block, and 25% possession? Perhaps, and even certainly. But it's quite fortunate that it didn't happen this Saturday night".
Arsenal were content to protect their lead despite scoring so early. The Gunners had only lost one match out of their last 117 in all competitions after winning at half-time.
An Ousmane Dembele penalty brought PSG back into the game before the match was decided by spot kicks. Eberechi Eze and Gabriel both missed, allowing the French champions to win 4-3 to deny Arteta's men a double after their Premier League triumph.
L'Equipe player ratings
L'Equipe gave six player scores of five or lower to Arsenal. Leandro Trossard and Cristian Mosquera were the two lowest rated stars, both receiving three out of ten.
Trossard was described as "anonymous" and "isolated" from his team-mates. The Belgian player lost the ball 13 times and won only two of the six duels he contested.
Mosquera was at fault for the penalty that allowed PSG back into the match and "miraculously" escaped receiving a second yellow card.
Declan Rice and Kai Havertz were the highest rated Arsenal players, receiving scores of six apiece. Arteta was handed a score of four, with L'Equipe taking umbrage with the manager demanding heavy defensive work from his attacking talents.
L'Equipe added, "It's regrettable that he somewhat sacrificed players like Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard by demanding significant defensive effort".
Return to London parade
Arsenal's wait for a Champions League trophy continues despite their domestic success. The squad looked glum upon leaving their Budapest hotel on Sunday morning.
The players will have their spirits lifted in the afternoon as they show off their Premier League silverware during a five-mile parade around Islington.
