Arsenal vs PSG: Player ratings as Gunners suffer Champions League final heartbreak

Arsenal lost the Champions League final in penalties to Paris Saint Germain on Saturday evening.

A game that finished 1-1 in normal and extra time, everything was decided by a shootout, which saw Eberechi Eze and Gabriel miss their penalties - with the Brazilian's penalty being the deciding one.

Arsenal were devastated after a match that saw their gameplan work really well, but were unfortunately forced to sit down.

Arsenal started the game as well as they could have imagined, with a well-taken goal from Kai Havertz giving them the lead in the sixth minute. Havertz, who has experience of scoring a goal in the Champions League final, made sure that Mikel Arteta's decision to start him over Viktor Gyokeres paid off.

Arsenal immediately went into a block, with some great defending to give PSG no space to work with all half. They kept double-marking the wingers on both ends, with great defensive work from Leandro Trossard and Bukayo Saka, and PSG had essentially no big chances in the first half.

Myles Lewis-Skelly was one of the star performers of the half, with some lovely dribbles and passes to escape Paris Saint Germain's pressure. His physicality and defensive work rate came in handy as well, as the French team had no answer for his strength and ball-carrying ability.

The second half forced the game to open up a bit more eventually, especially after Crithian Mosquera fouled Kvaratskhelia in the box to give away a penalty.

After that, Arsenal were forced to go forward, and had to rely on a few risky interventions from David Raya to make sure the score stayed level.

The game ended up going into extra time, where both teams were pretty reserved. Arsenal had a few corners, but were not able to capitalise on them.

In penalties, Arsenal ended up losing in penalties 4-3, despite David Raya saving a penalty.

Arsenal player ratings from Champions League final heartbreak vs PSG

Goalkeepers and defenders

David Raya (GK) - 6.5/10 - Raya did not have much to do in the first half, but had a crucial intervention near the end of the game where he came off his line very late to take Bradley Barcola by surprise when he was one-on-one with the Spaniard. He saved a penalty in the shootout, but the others were too good for him to save.

Cristhian Mosquera (RB) - 6/10 - Mosquera was tasked with marking Khvicha Kvaratskhelia - for the most part. Nuno Mendes' overloads gave him some trouble in the first half. Gave away the penalty in the second half and was subbed off promptly.

Gabriel (CB) - 8/10 - One of the very best players on the pitch, but was heartbroken after missing the deciding penalty. Cleared away everything that came his way, and showed the world why he is the best defender in the world. However, he would trade that performance for a Champions League winners' medal.

William Saliba (CB) - 7.5/10 - Saliba had a big-game performance against PSG, mirroring Gabriel's display on the other side of defense. Always made the right decisions, and had some darting runs into PSG's half as well.

Piero Hincapie (LB) - 7.5/10 - Did really well against Ousmane Dembele all match long. He pressured him into going backwards every time the Frenchman was on the ball, and looked very sound defensively.

Midfielders

Declan Rice (CM) - 6.5/10 - Worked quite hard defensively, and was more involved than Odegaard, but he did not provide a lot on the offensive end.

Myles Lewis-Skelly (CM) - 7/10 - Easily the best midfielder for Arsenal on the night. Worked hard, dribbled past PSG players at will, and used his strength to keep the ball for as long as he could. Did not look fazed by the occasion. Surprisingly subbed off in the second half.

Martin Odegaard (CM) - 6/10 - Defended well and worked hard, but was not nearly as involved as he would have wanted to be. He started losing energy in the second half, and was subbed off.

Forwards

Bukayo Saka (RW) - 6.5/10 - Excellent shift defensively, and made sure Kvaratskhelia did not have a big impact on the pitch. He did get a bit tired towards the end and eventually was subbed off. Did not have a huge impact offensively.

Kai Havertz (CF) - 7.5/10 - An absolutely brilliant finish from Havertz to put Arsenal 1-0 ahead. The biggest game of the season, and he was the most composed player on the pitch. Good performance otherwise, too. Didn't do much after the goal.

Leandro Trossard (LW) - 6.5/10 - His defensive effort caused Marquinhos to slip up, and in theory, he assisted Kai Havertz's opener. He was always there to do the dirty work in defense.

Substitutes

Viktor Gyokeres (CF) - 6/10 - (On for Odegaard in the 66th minute)

Jurrien Timber (RB) - 6/10 (On for Mosquera in the 66th minute)

Noni Madueke (RW) - 6/10 (On for Saka in the 82nd minute)

Gabriel Martinelli (LW) - 6/10 (On for Trossard in the 82nd minute)

Eberechi Eze (AM) - 5/10 (On for Havertz at the start of extra time)

Martin Zubimendi (DM) - 6/10 (On for Lewis-Skelly at the start of extra time)

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