Martin Keown believes Arsenal star Bukayo Saka will have sleepless nights after missing an open goal in the UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg match against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). The Gunners exited the competition after losing 2-1 at the Parc des Princes, culminating in a 3-1 aggregate loss across two legs.
Unlike the first leg, it was Mikel Arteta‘s men who started the game strongly, but Gianluigi Donnarumma’s brilliance between the sticks kept the Parisians ahead in the early exchanges. Fabian Ruiz opened the scoring for the hosts against the run of play in the 27th minute, and Achraf Hakimi doubled their lead in the 72nd minute.
Saka pulled one back for the Gunners in the 76th minute but missed a sitter a few minutes later, which would have set up a nervy ending in Paris.
Speaking to TNT Sports after the match, Martin Keown said Bukayo Saka’s miss will haunt him for the next two to three nights.
Saka has arguably been Arsenal’s best player this season, with the most goal contributions (26) for the club.
Arsenal’s elimination from the 2024-25 Champions League now means they will go a fifth consecutive season without winning a major trophy. Mikel Arteta’s men were the best in almost all attacking statistics on the night, but to their chagrin, they had nothing to show for it.
Reacting to the loss, Declan Rice admitted that the team was absolutely gutted but promised to keep pushing and believing. He told TNT Sports:
The English midfielder added to Arsenal’s quest for a trophy:
The Gunners will now turn their attention to the Premier League, with their next match against Liverpool on Sunday, May 11.
An ardent Chelsea fan, Ezekiel’s journey as a football fan began in his childhood, witnessing Ronaldinho dazzle with his skills. His interest in the beautiful game deepened after Nigeria were knocked out of the 2010 FIFA World Cup; he was impressed with the Super Eagles’ fighting spirit in their 2-2 Group B draw against South Korea. Some other World Cup matches which have left a deep impact on him were Belgium’s incredible comeback against Japan in the round of 16 of the 2018 version and the 2022 final.
Lionel Messi is the one true GOAT for Ezekiel and he also follows the Major League Soccer and the Saudi Pro League owing to him and Cristiano Ronaldo. When not writing, he spends his free time deepening his SEO knowledge and watching skits.
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