Arteta Seeks Immortality, and We’re Having Big Feelings… | OneFootball

Champions League Final

Tonight's European showpiece in Budapest is bound to trigger some serious emotional whiplash across the Blue half of Merseyside.

On one hand, we have the ultra-sanitised, state-funded mega-project of Paris Saint-Germain. On the other, we have Arsenal, who are currently kicking off in Hungary aiming for a historic continental double, hot on the heels of lifting their first Premier League title in over two decades.

And steering the Gunners' ship right to the precipice of footballing immortality? None other than The Best Little Spaniard We Knew — Mikel Arteta.

Yes, our Mikel. The man with the hair so perfect it defied the laws of Merseyside aerodynamics. Excepyt he's no longer ours... hasn't been ours for ages... and seems to forget the years he pent with us whenever his Gunners blow us away.

He's Followed the Everton Blueprint (Sort Of)

When Arteta took over at The Emirates, they were a fragile, meme-worthy tactical circus. He didn't just steady the ship; he built a relentlessly suffocating, high-pressing machine. Sound familiar? It’s basically the high-energy ethos he absorbed under David Moyes, just wrapped in a sleek, multi-million-pound custom tactical black turtleneck.

We always knew he had the footballing brain. Watching him command the pitch at Goodison Park, orchestrating play in that midfield alongside Tim Cahill and Steven Pienaar, you could see the managerial potential might one day come to fruition. He was our orchestrator, our elegant little maestro who gave us hope in an era when we were permanently punching above our financial weight.

To see an ex-Blue stand on the touchline tonight, potentially out-smarting the elite of Europe, brings a tiny, begrudging smirk of pride to the face. We made him the hardened Premier League warrior he is. You’re welcome, North London.

But Deadline Day 2011 Still Hurts, Mikel!

Can we talk about how utterly exhausting it is to watch him do the "bouncing on the touchline, manic hand-gestures" routine while his side sweeps all before them? It’s hard not to look at his pristine, gleaming Arsenal setup and think back to 31 August 2011. The late-night Deadline Day panic. The £10M bag of magic beans we took from Arsenal. The collective heartbreak of losing the "Best Little Spaniard We Know."

And let's be real — if Mikel lifts that big-eared trophy tonight, we know exactly what the media narrative will be. He’ll be anointed as the ultimate disciple of Pep Guardiola. They’ll talk about his education at Manchester City and his formative years at La Masia.

Will they mention the cold, rainy Tuesday nights at Goodison Park where he actually learned to survive the English game? Will they give a shoutout to Tony Hibbert overlapping him down the right flank??? Will they hell.

Tonight’s Forecast

So, how do we play this one, Blues? Do we back the sleek, relentless Arsenal machine powered by our ex-midfield icon? Or do we quietly hope PSG's superstar roster turns on the style just to keep Mikel’s perfectly coiffed head from growing any bigger?

Either way, as Havertz and Co look to make history in Budapest, we'll be watching with a mix of genuine admiration, deep-seated envy, and the eternal, cynical reminder that he still owes his best years to the Grand Old Lady.

Champions League Final

Reader Comments (124)

Michael Kenrick 4 Posted 30/05/2026 at 17:39:02

Ref letting it flow for a spell there...

Almost looked like Real Football!

Brilliant commentary on BBC 5Live!

Mike Gaynes 5 Posted 30/05/2026 at 17:40:56

Jack, he'll be loving Arsenal's opening kickoff routine for sure!

Liam Mogan 6 Posted 30/05/2026 at 17:42:37

Arsenal proving that intensity is everything, no matter your tactical approach.

Michael Kenrick 9 Posted 30/05/2026 at 17:46:54

The 8th European Final for Arsenal.

They havelost the last four...

Liam Mogan 10 Posted 30/05/2026 at 17:52:37

The difference between this approach and the Moyes ones, is that Arsenal know they can win playing like this. They've set up to win.

Moyes sits back hoping not to lose.

Jack Convery 12 Posted 30/05/2026 at 17:55:57

Well done the ref. Time wasting shits. Start booking them in the 2nd half. PSG look baffled. Let's hope they get it sorted. Arsenals type of football drives fans away. When you compare them to Wengers team there is no comparison.

Paul Griffiths 13 Posted 30/05/2026 at 17:57:26

George Graham Arsenal. Mind you, I think GG was in charge when the ship last won a Euro trophy.

Jack Convery 14 Posted 30/05/2026 at 18:01:16

I prefer winning like we played in Rotterdam. Class.

Michael Kenrick 15 Posted 30/05/2026 at 18:02:00

Just seen the goal from Havertz.

Brilliant strike over the keeper's head into the roof of the net! Gotta love that.

Although we know Starman Pickford woulda saved it... erm... maybe?

Jeff Armstrong 16 Posted 30/05/2026 at 18:05:50

Arsenal masterclass so far, referee is a joke, giving everything to PSG, not easy playing 12 men, we ought to know! Surprised he didn’t find a way to disallow the goal, Trossard hand?

Paul Griffiths 17 Posted 30/05/2026 at 18:06:04

JP is good at the old starfish.

Paul Griffiths 18 Posted 30/05/2026 at 18:07:23

I think that at least 3 gunners could have been booked in the first halfJeff.

Paul Griffiths 19 Posted 30/05/2026 at 18:08:01

Arse walking out as slowly as possible.

Paul Hewitt 20 Posted 30/05/2026 at 18:08:32

That would be a penalty against us. 100%

Jeff Armstrong 21 Posted 30/05/2026 at 18:10:15

Don’t agree Paul, Fabian should have been booked first five minutes for tossing the ball away.

Michael Kenrick 23 Posted 30/05/2026 at 18:10:44

There ya go, Yellow card for time wasting on the throw.

Sends a message.

Paul Griffiths 24 Posted 30/05/2026 at 18:11:30

PSG were not time wasting Jeff.

Jeff Armstrong 25 Posted 30/05/2026 at 18:14:05

It was a petulant throw away from Fabian after he didn't get a decision, nothing to do with time wasting.

It's a yellow every time, but the ref chose to ignore it. He’s giving PSG everything

Paul Griffiths 26 Posted 30/05/2026 at 18:16:00

Sorry I meant all through the first half Jeff and good to see the ref give that yellow for time wasting in the SECOND fecking minute of the second half.

Michael Kenrick 27 Posted 30/05/2026 at 18:18:01

Arsenal's 63rd game of the season.

Don't look all that tired to me. Maybe something Arteta learned from Moyes: how not to overtrain the fuck out of your players!

Ref not being conned by all the soft falling over.

Steve Brown 28 Posted 30/05/2026 at 18:22:35

If you didn’t know better, you’d think Sean Dyche was managing Arsenal.

Liam Mogan 29 Posted 30/05/2026 at 18:23:02

Ref has definitely doubled down on giving everything to PSG

Michael Kenrick 30 Posted 30/05/2026 at 18:25:26

Penalty, Defo.

No question.

Paul Griffiths 31 Posted 30/05/2026 at 18:27:24

Arsenal's fault Liam

Bill Gall 32 Posted 30/05/2026 at 18:28:41

No messing about with that penalty

Grant Rorrison 33 Posted 30/05/2026 at 18:29:15

How can people watch Arsenal play defensive crap like this and defend it while hating Moyes playing that way?

Jeff Armstrong 34 Posted 30/05/2026 at 18:29:20

Why is it Arsenal’s fault that the ref is a cheat? cos they where doing what Arsenal do well, manage a 1-0 lead?

Michael Kenrick 35 Posted 30/05/2026 at 18:29:27

No stoopid stutter step bollucks...

Wham!

This is a game-changing moment!

Jack Convery 36 Posted 30/05/2026 at 18:29:36

TFFT. Come on PSG !

Paul Griffiths 37 Posted 30/05/2026 at 18:29:42

Gotta think that Arsenal will now pay for their first half shenanigans

Paul Hewitt 38 Posted 30/05/2026 at 18:29:49

PSG will win this now

Liam Mogan 39 Posted 30/05/2026 at 18:31:07

Was defo a pen.

Arteta late with changes imo. They were crying out for a refresh.

Paul Griffiths 40 Posted 30/05/2026 at 18:32:00

Oh shit, we might have to play some footy now - 'teta

Michael Kenrick 41 Posted 30/05/2026 at 18:34:04

PSG's crossing is just not very good though. Another one completely wasted.

They should focus on pass and move, playing it on the ground. That's what they do best.

Jeff Armstrong 42 Posted 30/05/2026 at 18:38:59

Trossard looks cooked, needs to bring on Eze and Martinelli

Mike Gaynes 43 Posted 30/05/2026 at 18:41:20

This ref Daniel Siebert is doing great. Whistling up for HT when Arsenal dawdled over the corner, the quick yellow for stalling the throw-in, perfect position on the pen and made the call instantly.

He's the German ref who was chased down the tunnel by the Uruguay players during the last World Cup.

Paul Hewitt 44 Posted 30/05/2026 at 18:43:50

I don't get the Saka hype.

Michael Kenrick 45 Posted 30/05/2026 at 18:44:10

Kvaratskhelia's shot was low and Raya probably had it covered, deflected up onto the post close!

They are really closing down Saka.

Paul Griffiths 46 Posted 30/05/2026 at 18:44:35

Agree MG. I think the ref has done decent. Although he arguably let Arsenal get away with too much in the yellowless first half.

Saka going off. Done very little.

Liam Mogan 47 Posted 30/05/2026 at 18:45:08

Personally I think the ref has been all PSG.

Doue should have been booked for kicking the ball away and then fouling just after.

Jack Convery 48 Posted 30/05/2026 at 18:45:21

Refs been class. EPL refs take note, How to ref one of the SLY SIX

Jeff Armstrong 49 Posted 30/05/2026 at 18:45:27

Not to mention not booking Fabian for throwing the ball away when he didn’t get a decision

Paul Griffiths 50 Posted 30/05/2026 at 18:47:11

No Eze. Hmmmmm. Mind you Martinelli is like a closer in baseball.

Paul Hewitt 51 Posted 30/05/2026 at 18:51:17

I'd love eze at Everton PG

Paul Griffiths 52 Posted 30/05/2026 at 18:51:24

Dreadful from Martinelli

Jeff Armstrong 53 Posted 30/05/2026 at 18:51:48

Eze can’t be fit, to bring on Mandueke and Martinelli before him makes no sense.

Paul Griffiths 54 Posted 30/05/2026 at 18:51:53

Stop teasing me PH.

Mike Gaynes 55 Posted 30/05/2026 at 18:52:27

Jeff #49, definitely could have but few refs will show yellow for a non-violent foul in the first five minutes. He gave a lecture instead.

Paul Griffiths 56 Posted 30/05/2026 at 18:54:44

Flares again. Dad's army will be back.

Jeff Armstrong 57 Posted 30/05/2026 at 18:55:38

MG, it’s a yellow whatever the minute, that’s what pisses me off about you refs, trying to use ambiguity and subjectivity when they just need to apply the rules of the game!

Paul Griffiths 58 Posted 30/05/2026 at 18:56:38

Did Declan Rice win player of the year?

Jeff Armstrong 59 Posted 30/05/2026 at 19:00:06

First booking for a PSG player in the 95th minute, ref is bent

Mike Gaynes 60 Posted 30/05/2026 at 19:00:30

Jeff, under the rules of the game, yellow cards are issued for offenses "deemed by the referee"... and are therefore ENTIRELY subjective. No yellow card is dictated by the rules.

Paul Griffiths 61 Posted 30/05/2026 at 19:01:31

I imagine that 'teta is unhappy that it isn't going straight to pens.

Jeff Armstrong 62 Posted 30/05/2026 at 19:02:18

So the rules are set up for bent referees There are no rules. EVERYTHING is up to how the ref feels

Paul Hewitt 63 Posted 30/05/2026 at 19:03:23

Hope Moyes and the scouting team are watching this. See what quick wingers can give you.

Liam Mogan 64 Posted 30/05/2026 at 19:04:15

If Arsenal had that break with last attack like Barcola, ref would have blew up

Paul Griffiths 65 Posted 30/05/2026 at 19:05:45

Eze on

Michael Kenrick 66 Posted 30/05/2026 at 19:07:23

Six Arsenal subs... Moyes must be dumbfounded.

You gotta have asmall squad of players you know you can trust.

Liam Mogan 67 Posted 30/05/2026 at 19:07:43

Eze to grab the winner

Paul Griffiths 68 Posted 30/05/2026 at 19:07:54

Crazy, 'teta making all six subs at the start of extra time. Crazy.

Jeff Armstrong 69 Posted 30/05/2026 at 19:08:07

With the Georgian off and Eze on, Arsenal will win this

Mike Gaynes 70 Posted 30/05/2026 at 19:09:06

Take it Eze, take it Eze... don't let the sound of your own fans drive you crazy...

Mike Powell 71 Posted 30/05/2026 at 19:09:55

Come on PSG

Mike Gaynes 72 Posted 30/05/2026 at 19:10:05

Michael #66, that's what spending almost a billion dollars gets you.

Jeff Armstrong 73 Posted 30/05/2026 at 19:10:25

It’s pronounced Ezzay

Ref still bent ,how is that a foul by Timber?

Liam Mogan 74 Posted 30/05/2026 at 19:12:15

Refs a cheat

Paul Griffiths 75 Posted 30/05/2026 at 19:12:33

Anyone else see what MG did there? Shoddy muzick taste to be fair.

Jeff Armstrong 76 Posted 30/05/2026 at 19:13:41

Yeh but it didn’t work,cos his name’s not Easy It’s Eze

Mike Gaynes 77 Posted 30/05/2026 at 19:14:23

Eagles? Jackson Browne? Shoddy? Whoa, tough crowd here.

Jeff Armstrong 78 Posted 30/05/2026 at 19:17:21

Most boring band in the world. “So we where in this hotel, and yeh, it was in California, we got a great welcome, so I decided to , you know, write a song”

Jeff Armstrong 79 Posted 30/05/2026 at 19:18:34

Ref still a cheat, pen that

Michael Kenrick 80 Posted 30/05/2026 at 19:20:15

I think that should be a penalty.

Mendes pushes Madueke over.

Mike Gaynes 81 Posted 30/05/2026 at 19:20:55

Desperado one of the best songs ever, and that was no way a pen no matter how much sniveling they do about it.

Liam Mogan 82 Posted 30/05/2026 at 19:21:13

Ref is a disgrace.

He gives that to PSG

Paul Hewitt 83 Posted 30/05/2026 at 19:22:28

No pen for me.

Mike Powell 84 Posted 30/05/2026 at 19:22:37

Never a pen

Bill Gall 85 Posted 30/05/2026 at 19:22:46

I think they have the same people on var that are usually at Everton games

Billy Shears 86 Posted 30/05/2026 at 19:23:15

Backed the draw...😆 Now WIN IT... GOONERS!

Mike Gaynes 87 Posted 30/05/2026 at 19:23:29

Madueke grabbed Mendes' shoulder. Even Arsenal soul man Thierry Henry says so.

Paul Griffiths 88 Posted 30/05/2026 at 19:23:35

No way that was a pen.

Enrique still has 3 subs. Crazy be 'teta.

Michael Kenrick 89 Posted 30/05/2026 at 19:25:10

In an Everton game, if we defend like that, it's a penalty 95% of the time.

Yea, I saw the hand from Madueke, that does cloud it somewhat.

Paul Griffiths 90 Posted 30/05/2026 at 19:25:41

Well, Arse will only win this with a penalty kick.

Jeff Armstrong 91 Posted 30/05/2026 at 19:25:45

As Liam says, if you’ve watched the whole game he is deffo giving that to PSG,this ref is bent as an Arabs knife.

Oliver Molloy 92 Posted 30/05/2026 at 19:25:51

@78 Jeff, I think you are being a little unfair there Jeff - who are not boring then ?

Liam Mogan 93 Posted 30/05/2026 at 19:27:10

PSG not half the threat without Dembele and Kvaratskhelia

Mike Gaynes 94 Posted 30/05/2026 at 19:29:34

Win or lose, Raya is having himself a NIGHT.

MOM for me.

Jeff Armstrong 95 Posted 30/05/2026 at 19:30:00

Enrique deffo fooked up taking off his two best and most effective players off, they’ve only played about 25 games all season

Paul Griffiths 96 Posted 30/05/2026 at 19:30:08

It's on. Eagles scrap.

Liam Mogan 97 Posted 30/05/2026 at 19:30:11

One thing I've always wondered with these European teams is who goes the match and spends 2 hours waving a big massive flag all game?

Darren Hind 98 Posted 30/05/2026 at 19:30:54

Get in Billy. always like to hear about somebody taking it to the enemy.

Never even thought about backing the draw. What odds did you get ?

Paul Griffiths 99 Posted 30/05/2026 at 19:32:57

There's a really boring answer to that Liam

Jeff Armstrong 100 Posted 30/05/2026 at 19:34:01

You used an S there PG/F that you didn’t need to use. MOR Americana shite.

Paul Griffiths 101 Posted 30/05/2026 at 19:36:00

What I do Jeff? Not seeing it.

Jeff Armstrong 102 Posted 30/05/2026 at 19:39:00

You said Eagles Scrap, drop the S off Scrap,… soz it doesn’t work when I have to explain it🤣

Paul Griffiths 103 Posted 30/05/2026 at 19:39:25

hahaha

Jeff Armstrong 104 Posted 30/05/2026 at 19:41:22

Why does Mandueke wear a headband? You've got braids you numpty,

Paul Griffiths 105 Posted 30/05/2026 at 19:41:35

Keep it tight and nick one.

Paul Griffiths 106 Posted 30/05/2026 at 19:44:37

Really intense game that.

Michael Kenrick 107 Posted 30/05/2026 at 19:44:44

Extra time is just a total waste of time.

I fell asleep. Just go straight to penalties.

Liam Mogan 108 Posted 30/05/2026 at 19:46:02

Was just going to post the same, MK.

Extra time rarely produces a winner. Pointless.

Mike Gaynes 109 Posted 30/05/2026 at 19:47:24

Seems like Arsenal advantage on pens. PSG has missed 9 this year and three of their best pen takers were subbed off already.

Jeff Armstrong 110 Posted 30/05/2026 at 19:47:24

So me and Liam were correct, the ref was bent, nobody defending him lately, where are you MG ?your referees society and your Eagles took one hell of a beating tonight😀

Paul Griffiths 111 Posted 30/05/2026 at 19:47:48

I'm an extra time bloke

Mike Gaynes 112 Posted 30/05/2026 at 19:50:02

Ref did a top-class job start to finish, and I couldn't care less about Eagles but Take It Eze is a great song because he'll be taking one now!!!

Jeff Armstrong 113 Posted 30/05/2026 at 19:53:27

Refs performance was abysmal, Take it Eze kind of works in a penalty shootout 😂 And he does an Onana

Michael Kenrick 114 Posted 30/05/2026 at 19:53:52

Oh my gawd!

That stoopid stutter step.

Mike Gaynes 115 Posted 30/05/2026 at 19:54:00

New version of the song... Choke It Eze!

Paul Griffiths 116 Posted 30/05/2026 at 19:54:01

YOU KNOBHEAD EZE

Jeff Armstrong 117 Posted 30/05/2026 at 19:55:12

Raya, Haig Avenue hero

Paul Griffiths 118 Posted 30/05/2026 at 20:00:27

You just knew that Gabriel would do that

Mike Gaynes 119 Posted 30/05/2026 at 20:01:01

Classy from Marquinhos. Immediately racing over to his countryman Gabriel to wrap him in a hug and console him. Proper sportsmanship.

Liam Mogan 120 Posted 30/05/2026 at 20:01:36

Moyes is to blame for that

Mike Powell 121 Posted 30/05/2026 at 20:02:13

Love a penalty shoot out, when it doesn't concern Everton

Kevin Molloy 122 Posted 30/05/2026 at 20:02:21

you turn down Everton and bad things happen

Michael Kenrick 123 Posted 30/05/2026 at 20:02:38

Can we say they paid the price for their time-wasting?

Bill Gall 124 Posted 30/05/2026 at 20:03:07

Going on the passage of play the amount of play that P.S.G. had they deserved it, Poorest Arsenal attacking play this season.

Paul Griffiths 125 Posted 30/05/2026 at 20:03:54

Me too Mike.P