PSG vs Arsenal: Defense doesn’t always win you Championships

As heartbreaking as it was for Arsenal fans, they can take pride in how their team performed over 120 minutes.

Yes, some will say that they defended for the whole game, and they did, but after scoring in the 6th minute against a team with that much firepower, it was the smart thing to do.

Some quick stats. Arsenal only took 4 shots in 90 minutes, and 7 shots by the time penalty shootout kicked off. The Premier League champions also recorded 24.7% possession, the lowest since...Arsenal in the 2006 final exactly 20 years ago. Poetic.

This gives you an idea of how the game went. The Gunners were not able to get any joy from set pieces or corners, even though everyone expected them to.

PSG for their part tried their hardest not to panic. Something that is difficult to do when you concede in the opening 10 minutes to a team so good at defending.

Luis Enrique's men took it in their stride, but towards the end of the first half they started getting desperate. They were a lot calmer in the second half.

Vitinha had a very good game overall, and Gabriel was the reason the game was over by halftime.

Overall, PSG was as dominant on the ball as we expected, but Arsenal was so defensive that they restricted the Ligue 1 champions to long shots most times.

Arsenal thought they could defend their way to a Champions League title, but they realized they also needed to create chances.

The penalty shootout was exciting, depending on who you were supporting anyway.

David Raya did well, saving one penalty. Arsenal was the author of its downfall, as the Premier League Champions. Eberechi Eze and Gabriel missed their penalties, putting theirs off target.

Arsenal fans will be disappointed, but the club has had an incredible season, the Champions League final loss notwithstanding.

For PSG fans, it's pure ecstacy, as it should be.