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“Turn it into fuel to improve”: Arteta urges Arsenal to harness UCL pain after PSG heartbreak

Mikel Arteta wants Arsenal to use the pain of their Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain as 'fuel to improve' next season.

Arsenal endured a heartbreaking night in Budapest as the Gunners lost to PSG on penalties. Kai Havertz had fired the North London side ahead inside six minutes in a dream start, but PSG's pressure told as Ousmane Dembele's penalty levelled to force extra time and penalties.

In the shootout, Eberechi Eze and Gabriel missed their spot-kicks for Arsenal, as Paris Saint-Germain won a second consecutive Champions League crown.

The defeat was a disappointing end to a memorable campaign for Arsenal, who this season ended a 22-year wait for the Premier League title.

The club's appearance in theChampions League final was their first since 2006, and only their second in club history, an achievement that Arteta feels should not be lost in the aftermath of defeat.

Speaking toTNT Sports at full-time, Arteta expressed his pride at Arsenal's achievement and called on the squad to use the painful defeat as motivation to improve next season.

"First of all you have to go through that pain, digest it and turn it into fuel to improve and reach a different level.

"I want to congratulate PSG because in my opinion they are the best team in the world. What they are able to do with the ball, with individual actions, credit to their players.

"I'm so proud of them. That we have, under the circumstances that we know internally what we've been through.

"To manage this group of players, the way they carry this badge. We got to the big one and we missed on the biggest one.

"We haven't done it for 22 years [win the league] and it is only the second time in our history [we have reached the final].

"We need to recognise the season that we had. Nobody is going to take the pain away from you.

"I think you have to go through the motions. If you are in pain, go through the pain. If you have done something wrong, you have to learn from it."

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