Sir Alex Ferguson took aim at Arsenal’s ‘boring’ performance in a text message to PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi following last night’s Champions League final, according to reports in France. Arsenal ended their wait for Premier League glory earlier this month, finishing seven points clear of Manchester City to secure their first league title in 22 years. However, the Gunners missed the chance to seal a historic double this weekend as PSG came from behind to prevail on penalties and successfully defend the Champions League title they won 12 months ago.
Match Overview
Mikel Arteta’s men got off to the perfect start and looked on course for a famous victory after Kai Havertz broke the deadlock with an emphatic finish in only the sixth minute at Budapest’s Puskas Arena. The holders rallied and found an equaliser from the spot through Ousmane Dembele, before Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Magalhaes both missed in a nerve-jangling shootout to secure victory for Luis Enrique’s side.
Arteta’s Reaction
Facing the media shortly after the final whistle, a dejected Arteta congratulated PSG, branding the French giants as ‘the best team in the world.’ ‘First of all I will take a few days with my family and then we will start the process to review what we’ve done,’ the Arsenal head coach told reporters. ‘We will start to make some very important decisions if we want to reach another level. And we’re going to have to show that ambition because we are more than capable of doing it, but it’s going to demand to be very, very ambitious, very fast and very smart. I want to congratulate PSG, Luis Enrique in particular, because they are, in my opinion, the best team in the world. What they are able to do with the ball, with individual actions, I haven’t seen it, and it’s not the plan to play in certain areas when you don’t have the ball, but they force you to do that. So, even more credit to the players.’
Criticism from Ferguson
Many have pointed to Arsenal’s apparent lack of firepower up front as a weakness they could look to strengthen ahead of the 2026/27 campaign, with Jamie Carragher calling for additions at centre-forward and on the left wing. These questions rose to the surface once again last night as the Gunners managed only one shot on target across the entirety of the contest, while enjoying just 25 per cent of the possession in the Hungarian capital. According to French newspaper L’Equipe, this even prompted former Manchester United manager Ferguson to criticise Arteta’s side as he sent a congratulatory message to PSG’s president after the final whistle. ‘Nasser, this is Alex Ferguson. Well done, it was a tough night for you, but you played against a boring team that did nothing but defend,’ Ferguson reportedly said in the text message. ‘Enjoy your holidays, you deserve it.’
Aftermath and Celebrations
Arsenal’s squad have been forced to quickly pick themselves up from the crushing setback in Hungary’s capital, with the club’s Premier League title parade taking place this afternoon. Hundreds of thousands flocked to north London to soak up the moment with Arteta and his players, causing severe disturbances and delays on both the London Underground and Overground. The newly crowned English champions set off on their 5.6-mile route through Islington, Highbury and Canonbury at 2pm, and will conclude the celebrations on their return to the area surrounding the Emirates.
