Mikel Arteta after PSG-Arsenal: "The best team lost"

His view on the match : "First of all, I congratulate PSG. The best player in both matches was the goalkeeper ( Donnarumma ), which proves that we created a lot of chances. We played very well and I'm proud of my team. At this stage of the competition, you have to arrive with your best team and all your available players, we had a lot of injuries. We're very proud, even if I'm annoyed by the outcome of this match. We were at the level of the event. But we came up against one of the best teams in Europe."

Also read : PSG vs. Arsenal ratings: the hero Donnarumma, the fighter Neves, the warrior Kvaratskhelia

His emotions after the elimination "It's difficult to put my emotions into words. We believed in ourselves. It was the first time for 95% of my players that they played in a semi-final. What my players did was incredible. But we have to try to get to the final and win it, we didn't succeed. I'm very proud of what we did. We managed to create a lot of chances. We also have to congratulate the opponent and what the goalkeeper did in both matches."

His speech to the players : "I spoke to them as I speak to you. I am very proud and we did not expect to get this far with all the problems we have encountered. Rather than talking about the things we don't have, I prefer to talk about what we do have."

What Arsenal is missing: "Two years ago, no one thought we could qualify for the Champions League, or finish second in the league. The reality is that you have to lift the trophy at the end. That hasn't happened yet. Marquinhos has played in this competition eleven times. The top level is about getting back up. I saw how much my players wanted it (qualification) because they were all in tears."

If the best team lost "Yes, that's what I stand by. The best team lost."

In pictures, the French Champions League finals

Access the slideshow (7)