Arsenal have been criticised for their display against PSG, as midfielder Joao Neves claims they were the only team who “wanted to play” in the Champions League final.

It comes as the Gunners were left narrowly defeated on penalties at the hands of the Ligue 1 champions, who sealed the European title in back-to-back seasons.

Gabriel Magalhaes’s penalty was decisive, as he blasted the ball over the bar, ensuring that Mikel Arteta‘s side are still chasing their first Champions League triumph.

The match itself played out in a set pattern, with Arsenal scoring early and then dropping into a mid-block, while PSG dictated possession but created few clear-cut chances.

While it was ultimately a game of chance that saw them defeated in the end, the Gunners have received some criticism for their style of play.

Arsenal Criticised By PSG Star

Speaking after PSG’s win over Arsenal, Joao Neves paid tribute to his team, but also took aim at the Gunners for how they approached the game.

He told French television outlet M6: “The emotion is there. It’s the second time I’ve been a European champion. It’s not even the victory itself that pleases me, but playing with such teammates, this staff, and this management.

“Coming here was the best decision I’ve ever made. I love everything here. We deserved it today (Saturday), because PSG were the only team that wanted to play.”

It’s a clear shot aimed at Arsenal, who were looking to frustrate PSG after taking the lead, but were unable to see it through for the victory in the end.

The Gunners managed just 28% possession to PSG’s 72%, showing a clear difference in approach across the full 120 minutes that the North London team just couldn’t cope with.

“This year was different. It was harder, more physical,” Neves reflected on the Champions League campaign as a whole. “We were European champions, so we defended our title.

“We’re part of PSG history (he’s interrupted by Luis Campos). We’re all happy. I want to enjoy this with my teammates now.”

While it’ll be a celebratory mood in Paris, it’s Arsenal who are left wondering “What if?”.

Declan Rice On Arsenal Final

While Neves was the midfield maestro celebrating, it was Arsenal’s own midfield giant Declan Rice who faced the media after his side’s difficult defeat.

Speaking to TNT Sports on the match, he said: “The emotions and the stakes are so high. It’s cruel. He [Arteta] spoke about how much he loves us as a group. How we’ve given 100 per cent every single game with everything that’s been thrown at us.

“This is only the start for us. We got over the line in the Premier League, this would’ve been one step further but it wasn’t to be.

“We keep building. Since I came to the club, it was a quarter-final exit, then semi-final and now final. We keep going and keep staying positive. This isn’t going to define us.”

For Arsenal, there will be a moment to go back to London and celebrate the Premier League title win, but the focus will quickly shift to where they can improve.

The summer transfer window will be crucial for the Gunners in being able to take the leap to European champions.

Manchester United are looking to lay down an early marker in the transfer market, if recent reports are to be believed.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Man United are ‘very close’ to reaching an agreement to sign Ederson from Atalanta, although club chiefs still need to give the move the green light as they consider many new central midfielders this summer.

It has been suggested that should Manuel Ugarte join Casemiro through the Old Trafford exit door this summer, then Red Devils chiefs could look to bring in three new players in that position to compete for a spot in central midfield alongside Kobbie Mainoo.

One report has claimed that United have allocated around £150m of their summer budget to strengthen their midfield, split up as an £80m player, £40m player and a low-cost £20m player.

Ederson would fit into the middle category with the expected fee for the Brazilian, who has a year left on his contract, worth just under £39m.

United also want to land a high-cost, top-class replacement for the outgoing Casemiro, who has been one of their most important players in the middle with Mainoo since Michael Carrick took charge at the beginning of 2026.

Romano: Man United Jet Out for Talks to Sign Sandro Tonali

According to Romano, United are currently killing more than two birds with one stone during their Italian talks to bring Ederson to Old Trafford.

As well as their transfer discussions for the Brazil international, Romano claims that the Red Devils are in talks over multiple other things, including for player exits and with the agents of Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali, who are based in Italy.

A separate report from Italy last week claimed that United were actually close to an agreement to sign the ‘elite’ Tonali, with another saying Carrick instructed club chiefs to sign the Italian international ahead of Ederson as part of their major midfield rebuild.

Tonali is Even Better Than Ederson and Fernandes

If United fans want a world-class midfielder to come in and replace Casemiro, there is no doubt that Tonali fits the bill more than Ederson.

The Italian has played at a higher level in the Premier League and Champions League during his career, with Red Devils icon Paul Scholes even claiming earlier this season that he’s ‘better than Declan Rice’.

The 26-year-old has established himself as one of the best central midfielders in the Premier League following his move to St James’ Park, but he won’t come cheap with Newcastle said to value him at around €100 (£86m).

Ederson and Tonali aren’t the only midfielders United are being heavily linked with at the moment, with interest increasing in West Ham United star Mateus Fernandes.

The Portugal international has been gaining admiring glances from the Red Devils for his performances in a claret and blue shirt this term, and there is now an opportunity to prise him away from the London Stadium after the club were relegated to the Championship.

The 21-year-old clearly has a big future ahead of him, but Tonali is currently a class above and entering the prime years of his career.

Tottenham are ready to make a move to hijack Newcastle United’s move to sign Abde Ezzalzouli this summer, according to Sport.

Spurs are looking to bolster their squad in the upcoming window having narrowly avoided relegation on the final day of the season thanks to a 1-0 win over Everton, with Roberto De Zerbi’s arrivcal with seven games remaining sparking a decent spell of form.

But the Italian is now pushing to strengthen his squad ahead of the new season, and a new forward is understood to be among the priorities in the transfer window.

Ezzalzouli, who has been described as a ‘superstar’, has been strongly linked with a move to Newcastle United as the Magpies look to replace Anthony Gordon, who has joined Barcelona in a deal worth around £70m.

But it’s now understood that Tottenham Hotspur have also made contact with Real Betis about a move for the Morocco international, with the La Liga club needing to raise funds before June 30th despite reaching the Champions League.

Ezzalzouli is set to star for Morocco at the World Cup, and Betis are hopeful that could help to raise his value. But his release clause is currently set at €60m (£52m), and it’s understood that is appealing to several clubs.

The 24-year-old starred for Betis this season, registering 14 goals and nine assists in all competitions, and it’s reported that Spurs have initiated contact about a potential deal to bring him to north London, ahead of Newcastle, who have made him a top target to replace Anthony Gordon following his move to Barcelona.

Manuel Pellegrini is hopeful of keeping hold of the 24-year-old for next season, but with the club’s need to raise funds, an exit now looks inevitable.

Tottenham Ready to Go Big

Tottenham are well aware that they need to make big improvements to their squad this summer, and as a result, they know they need signings.

Roberto De Zerbi has already brought in Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi to bolster his defence, but the attack grossly underperformed this season and new options are needed, which has led to interest in Ezzalzouli, who would be a major upgrade on current options.

He has the quality to add more dynamism to the squad, and has shown he has an eye for goals and assists, and under De Zerbi, he could potentially reach a new level, which makes him a very exciting signing.