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 (184)

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 PSG 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

Paul Griffiths 126 Posted 30/05/2026 at 20:04:57

Yep, utter class from Marquinhos

Oliver Molloy 127 Posted 30/05/2026 at 20:07:30

Tough to lose a Champions League Final on penalties.

I really thought Arsenal could do it but, hey ho, that's the way it goes.

Us Evertonians will never have to suffer like the Arsenal fans tonight!

Mike Doyle 128 Posted 30/05/2026 at 20:10:28

Exactly why pro footballers thinks this stupid stuttering run up is a good idea baffles me. PSG's players took them properly -- even the one they missed was a decent attempt.

Overall, the best team won.

Paul Griffiths 129 Posted 30/05/2026 at 20:11:07

It will be good for Eze going forward if he is thinking, "What a twat I am to have done that!"

Tony Hughes 130 Posted 30/05/2026 at 20:12:44

Good defensive performance from Arsenal but very little going forward, 4 attempts with just one on target.

Nearly KITAP1.

Jeff Armstrong 131 Posted 30/05/2026 at 20:24:55

World Cup Final goes to penalties, Eze steps up, what does he do? Shuffle into oblivion or just fucking smack it?

He gets off if he smacks and misses, but shuffle and miss... life changer.

Jeff Armstrong 132 Posted 30/05/2026 at 20:32:25

It's dead easy being classy when you've just won the Champions League, why do people think this is classy?

It's condescending nonsense.

Keith Gleave 133 Posted 30/05/2026 at 20:39:30

This was like watching Everton. The ball passed back, the ball hooved forward.

The ref gave Arsenal nothing, decisions went to PSG when it should have been Arsenal. I have certainly seen the challenge given as a penalty.

Jeff Armstrong 134 Posted 30/05/2026 at 20:51:14

So only 3 Evertonians have watched this game and come on this forum and said the referee was biased towards the Saudi backed dream team, only 3 (maybe us 3 are wrong, doubt it).

One of the ToffeeWebers on this site claims he knows the rules but even he cannot see what is happening in front of his eyes and claims the referee is not only adept, but actually brilliant!

If we ever get to a final against a top team, I guarantee we will be shafted by the referee.

Jack Convery 135 Posted 30/05/2026 at 20:56:29

I do not understand Arteta. How a classy skillful player can set up a team to KITAP1 really beats me. 24.7 % possession for the Champions of England is a disgrace. Right out of the Moyesiah's playbook.

Centre-backs as full-backs. Wasting Saka and Trossard as auxiliary full-backs until he took them off. 6 subs by the start of extra time, and then carrying Hincapie for 30 minutes as he was injured or had cramp.

Time wasting as a matter of course -- they did it against us, only tonight the Ref, who was superb throughout, in my humble opinion, put a stop to it. Premier League refs, please take note.

How much has Arteta spent to produce a team that has one shot on target in a Champions League Final? If you enter the field of play afraid of what the opposition are bringing to the game, you are set up to fail in the long run.

PSG are a breath of fresh air with the way they play. Granted tonight they were blunted by Arsenal's tactics but they still got the win. A game to forget. If only Bayern v PSG had been the final we would have had a real treat.

Now it's back to the trevails of EFC, the Owners, The Board and the Moyesiah. God help us.

Mick O\\\'Malley 136 Posted 30/05/2026 at 21:02:09

Jack @134, I completely agree.

I was expecting a bit more out of Arsenal, Champions of England, first Champions League final for 20 years, and they barely crossed the halfway line! It looked like the only way they could score was hope for a set piece or corner, and they were few and far between.

I'd be gutted to have travelled over there to watch that defensive display; I know PSG can tear you apart on the break but, fuck me, show a bit of adventure!

Duncan McDine 137 Posted 30/05/2026 at 21:07:22

Just like a lot of finals, it was a crap game, spoiled by one manager who tried not to lose rather than go out and win.

Admittedly PSG would've probably blown them away had Arteta set up less defensively, but my god that was an awful 3 hours of anti-football.

Dave Abrahams 138 Posted 30/05/2026 at 21:08:24

The game was always interesting because of the score but I thought the best team won because they were the better team although their centres and corners were very poor from start to finish.

I was biased because I wanted the footballing team to win and l thought Arteta could have utilised his players a lot better. Playing defensively was the correct way to play against PSG but there should have been a lot more adventure in the Arsenal play.

They had plenty of good players to do that instead of using them to defend more than attack. PSG with 72% of possession and Arsenal with 28%, with PSG having 13 corners to Arsenal 2 before the desperate attacking in extra time, despite that it was a more interesting than boring game for me.

A lot will be made, by Arsenal, of that penalty but I thought the right decision was made by the referee.

Jeff Armstrong 139 Posted 30/05/2026 at 21:30:34

Dave 138, agreed, it was an very interesting game, reminded me of a superlative performance by Mouriniho's Inter at Barca in the 2011 semi, fantastic tactics, thinking about the opponent's strategy and strengths.

Arteta knew who he was up against, took them to the brink but couldn't beat 12 men eventually.

Andrew Clare 140 Posted 30/05/2026 at 21:30:59

More often than not if an English team gets to the final it turns out to be a dour game.

PSG played to win and Arsenal didn't.

Dale Self 141 Posted 30/05/2026 at 21:58:27

I agree with Duncan, who I am happy to see posting. Over the years, the best UCL matches have been in the semifinals

Overloading the right and isolating Kvartaskhelia was a waste of 45 minutes. You could see Enrique's regret when they started moving him central. Bringing Vitinha so deep for the slow buildup and overloading right was a combination of little creativity.

The right result though, that fuckin Arse fan has been in every couple of days after we drew with City. What insufferable bastards they can be. A bit disappointed for Mikel though, he will get some gritted teeth support for this.

And Eze, damn dude.

Les Callan 142 Posted 30/05/2026 at 00:04:04

I don't think that the ref was biased.

What he didn't do was fall for the usual Arsenal tactics of time wasting, play acting and falling over at the least touch from an opponent.

Better team won.

Paul Griffiths 143 Posted 31/05/2026 at 03:11:55

Completely agree Les (142), although I did have doubts about the non-penalty at first.

The main reason why Arsenal lost was 'teta in the end. To use all six subs before a ball was kicked in extra time was nuts. Arsenal carried one player who limped through extra time.

Even nuttier, as 'teta explains: 'Normally the penalty takers would be Bukayo [Saka], Martin [Odegaard] and Kai [Havertz]'. Not one of those three was on the pitch in extra time.

Not to mention the far more often than not wrongmodus operandi: set up not to lose, hang on, hope.

Steve Brown 144 Posted 31/05/2026 at 05:01:58

What s the point of fighting your way to a final to play like that?

Especially in extra-time, when PSG had to sub their better players and Arsenal had the stronger bench. Arteta brought on Madueke, Eze and Martinelli and continued to play the long hoof from the keeper.

Phil Roberts 145 Posted 31/05/2026 at 06:34:53

Having no access to TV (holiday) and reading the match report - seems like TBLSTWK has been schooled by Moyes more than Pep.

Si Cooper 146 Posted 31/05/2026 at 07:56:25

PG, the choices that Arteta made that you've described, sound like going for the win rather than desperately trying to hang on for penalties.

How does that square with just setting up not to lose and hanging on? Could it be that the players just didn't rise to the occasion as he had hoped they would?

Alan J Thompson 147 Posted 31/05/2026 at 08:10:41

Phil (#145); The TV coverage was not the best owing to the colour of the ball which was almost invisible when on the far side of the pitch from the cameras,

Arsenal seemed to suffer from scoring so early and then just going on the defensive but what was the bloke who gave the penalty away thinking trying to tackle from behind in the penalty area.

I thought the Ref had a very good first half but second half gave PSG everything and I liked the way he blew for halftime and let players lie on the ground when he didn't think they had been injured at all. And VAR seemed of little help but the whole thing might improve when the conversation between Ref and VAR is broadcast for all to hear.

And did anyone think the Arsenal keeper kept moving far too early during the penalty shoot-out, the exception being the one he actually saved?

Tony Abrahams 148 Posted 31/05/2026 at 08:11:27

It was probably the best way to play against PSG but, when a team is based on defending, they lose a lot of that natural instinct that a lot of their quality players have when they attack.

I have often thought that, when a team is under the cosh and playing with every man behind the ball, then putting two players up front isn't a bad tactic. When Arsenal played like the old Wimbledon for 20 minutes, it was the only time I thought they might score a second goal.

And like Michael, I thought it was an 8 o'clock kick-off and had to rush home to catch the second half.

Tony Abrahams 149 Posted 31/05/2026 at 08:17:02

I also had problems trying to watch the ball, Alan, and thought that the difference between the penalty that was given and the penalty that wasn't is that the player who got the penalty was so much cleverer than the player who didn't.

One was a foul, the other might have been a foul if the Arsenal player had concentrated on getting his shoulder across his opponent instead of pulling him towards him. We all see different things.

Paul Griffiths 150 Posted 31/05/2026 at 08:27:36

Si - 146 - I do understand that but mate Arsenal did not go for the win in extra time with arguably questionable subs. Surely every gaffer has to keep at least one sub for extra time and his choice of subs really compromised the Gunner's penalty line-up.

Gabriel -- and he deserves utter credit for stepping up -- would not have had to take that 5th penalty if one of Saka, Odegaard, or Havertz were still on the pitch.

Taking Saka off was a mistake, because he is the one Arsenal player who can do the unexpected, other than Eze who did do the unexpected.

Gabriel was Arsenal's best player in a league-winning season and I feel deeply for him. He was put in that position by 'teta.

There was no point in that match after Havertz scored, Si, where Arsenal looked like they were pushing to win.

Rob Dolby 151 Posted 31/05/2026 at 08:34:57

A victory for football over shithousery.

Arsenal were only ever going to win by 1-0 or on pensaltie and luckily enough, Gabriel blasted over.

The ref had a very good game and showed the English refs how not to fall for the diving and cheating out of Arsenal.

Arsenal have some fantastic talent but seeing Saka play as an extra right-back for most of the game isn't playing to his strengths.

How has Madueke got in that England squad? Saka's understudy who offers nothing.

I loved Arteta the player for us and Arsenal but, as a manager. his antics leave a lot to be desired.

Looking at the Premier League next season, they will be hot favourites to retain the title playing robotic shit house -- or 'clever' -- football, as the pundits now call cheating.

Dave Abrahams 152 Posted 31/05/2026 at 08:50:07

Rob (151),

I think the first line of your post speaks for football fans all over the world.

Rob Halligan 153 Posted 31/05/2026 at 08:52:00

I am sick of pundits and commentators saying “It's absolutely heartbreaking to lose a Champions League final on penalties”.

Well I'll tell you what, tell your penalty takers to take a penalty properly, instead of this ridiculous shuffle, stutter, little jump in the air before striking the ball with all the power of a flick of a Subbuteo player.

You've also got to blame Arteta for picking Gabriel to take one. I believe he's never taken a penalty before, so why one now? Can only think Gabriel volunteered and felt confident to take one, but again, a little run up and stutter before leaning back to balloon the ball over the bar.

Overall for me the better team on the day won the game. A European referee did not fall for the antics of Arsenal, unlike the corrupt Premier League officials, one of whom no doubt would definitely have given that penalty for Arsenal.

The Arsenal time-wasting was punished with yellow cards and I loved it when the referee blew for half-time when Arsenal were about to take a corner. Not the referee's fault Saka was too slow in trying to take the corner!

Paul Griffiths 154 Posted 31/05/2026 at 09:10:17

151-153 top posts.

The ref was a breath of fresh air after a PL season.

'teta made so many mistakes. Shithouse tactics. Crazy subs.

Andrew Clare 155 Posted 31/05/2026 at 09:14:32

On another note does anyone else see the sacking of Slot as an awful indication of how far we have fallen? Our neighbours expectations are in a different universe to ours. They have just sacked a manager that has got them in the Champions League again whereas we - by the looks of it- are retaining a manager of very limited means. What happened to the Mersey giants? Now there is only a Mersey giant.

Tony Abrahams 156 Posted 31/05/2026 at 09:14:33

Something that goes largely unnoticed (because it’s not as if they’re going to start ganging up on each other) is how much influence a lot of these (full of their own importance) ex-players, who have suddenly become great experts, have on the game.

I prefer to turn the sound down because I wouldn’t want to sit inside a football stadium watching a game of football, having to listen to a boring bastard, sitting next to me, and yet these boring bastards have got so much influence imo

John Collins 157 Posted 31/05/2026 at 09:17:40

Andrew.

Some clubs accept mediocrity. Some clubs don't.

Tony Abrahams 158 Posted 31/05/2026 at 09:22:52

So true Andrew. The acceptance of what we have become is incredibly heart breaking and sad.

We need owners who can see the genuine potential in Everton and wants to talk things up. Instead we have a cautious manager who was doing an okay job, but carefully choosing his words just in case it backfired on him.

I think one of the reasons I am falling out of love with football, is because the club, that I love just don’t have enough belief in themselves anymore.

Rob Dolby 159 Posted 31/05/2026 at 09:42:24

Andrew 155, I see that sacking as a delusional entitlement. Only Chelsea have treated managers like that in the past.

An ageing team, influx of new expensive players, key injuries and the loss of one of their most creative players all played a part on the field whilst most importantly these days they are struggling to justify the £500m spent.

If anything slot sacking and successful managers like Iraola and Glasner leaving god jobs should send signals to our hierarchy that Moyes is a short term sticking plaster. That's what I am hoping anyhow. We all can't be doing with him for much longer can we.

Brian Harrison 160 Posted 31/05/2026 at 10:21:03

I thought the pre game entertainment by the Killers was the best part of the night. The football was very sterile and nothing like some of the exciting finals of the past. While PSG have very talented players they struggled to put anything together all night. Arsenal once scoring so early were only ever going to sit back and see if they could pinch another on the break. Just a shame the best player on the pitch missed one of the important penalties.

John Collins 161 Posted 31/05/2026 at 10:24:31

Andrew, Tony.

Sadly we will have to accustom ourselves to a position of also rans in the near future.

A club who turns in the odd decent performance but don't cause any real issues to the bigger clubs. A club that, despite the backing of the invisible men, once again finds itself in a 13th finishing position.

For as long as the Miserable One is dictating style of play we will remain in our current standing.

Brian Harrison 163 Posted 31/05/2026 at 10:36:55

John 161

I am afraid we have been also rans for decades, I had great hope when we signed our World class manager in Ancelotti but the Ukraine war and Real Madrid put paid to that. Watching last nights final just brought it home to me what we may have been under Ancelotti, as the first player he tried to sign was Gabriel, but had to make do with Yerry Mina not a bad player but not in Gabriel's class.I understand your frustration with Moyes but our problems were there long before he arrived first time and unless something radical changes we will be also rans for long after he leaves.

I am sure Usmanov promised Ancelotti would have to spend whatever the rules allowed and hopefully with him being probably the best manager we are ever going to see in my lifetime, but as Harold McMillan said when asked about what was the most difficult part of being Prime minister, he said events dear boy events. Who knows what would have happened had Usmanov not been sanctioned after the start of the Ukraine war. But sadly that ship has well and truly sailed. Our owners just see Hill Dickenson as their cash cow with a football club attached.

John Collins 164 Posted 31/05/2026 at 10:42:22

I know all of that Brian. Do you accept mediocrity for the reason we have always been mediocre?

Raymond Fox 165 Posted 31/05/2026 at 11:19:42

John,

I don't think anyone wants to accept mediocrity but you have to accept that now you can't buy a top team.

Once upon a time, we hadn't the money; now we have, we can't spend as much as we would like to!

We need much better player finding and then persuade them to come.

Brian Harrison 166 Posted 31/05/2026 at 11:34:05

John @164,

I hate the fact we are no longer considered a threat when pundits talk about who will win leagues or cups.

I am lucky enough to have seen us win leagues, cups, and a European trophy. Believe me, John, I long for the day when we are back up there, challenging for honours.

But, seeing as it's taken Arsenal 22 years since winning the Premier League, I won't live long enough to see us do that again in my lifetime. That doesn't mean we cant compete for cups.

Yes, I have defended Moyes for most of this season but the last 7 games tells me maybe he can't get us into a regular top-half team. I never expected Moyes to win us trophies but I did expect Top 10 finishes. Then, once the club was stabilised, move on to a more progressive manager.

Steve Brown 167 Posted 31/05/2026 at 11:36:12

Liverpool sacked Slot because they finished the season poorly.

With growing fan discontent at the lack of intensity in the team's performances, the board knew that the atmosphere could turn toxic early in the new season at the first setback the team faced. They were ruthless, unsentimental and decisive, as they knew could not wait much longer if they wanted a top candidate.

Everton are in exactly the same position but failed to act. If we start next season badly and have to replace Moyes in November, who will be available?

Rose to Bournemouth, Terzic to Bilbao, Maresca to Man City, Iraola to Liverpool, Glasner to AC Milan, Mourinho to Real Madrid, Carrick confirmed at Man Utd and Howe to stay at Newcastle.

Everton left paralysed by indecision, blathering on about stability and being happily dissatisfied. New owners, still soft, muddle-headed and amateur in our outlook.

Robert Tressell 168 Posted 31/05/2026 at 11:41:32

I would have thought the respective owners see it like this:

The RS: spent nearly half a billion pounds (approaching £200M more than anyone else) on a team that had won the title -- with the expectation of league domination and a squad that can go toe to toe with PSG. They got schooled by PSG and scraped into the Champions League places by finishing 5th.

Everton: ending 2024-25 with about 12 players, spent the 14th highest sum in the Premier League after years of austerity and near ruin, and annual relegation fights. Finished 13th with the 16th highest wage bill.

One of those scenarios suggests under-performance relative to investment. The other, boring though it is, not so much.

I don't think that's the Friedkins accepting mediocrity. I think they would see it as the early days of investing our way out of mediocrity in a very competitive league.

How much the Friedkins are prepared to spend this summer is the real indicator of whether they accept mediocrity.

Obviously fans expect glory whatever the spend. But the Friedkins aren't fans. The more they spend, the greater their expectation on the manager to deliver.

Last season the average spend across the Premier League was circa £200M (mode and median averages). Can we beat that this summer?

Steve Brown 169 Posted 31/05/2026 at 11:50:04

Robert, welcome back!

How much do you expect TFG to invest in players this summer? Under SCR, we can invest up to 85% of football-related revenue; our projected revenue could reach £250 million for the 2025/26 season.

I just don’t see TFG as that ambitious to be honest.

Mike Powell 170 Posted 31/05/2026 at 11:57:36

Thought the ref was good, he never fell for the Arsenal players diving or time-wasting.

Best team won, there was only one team trying to win. Arsenal played for penalties and it came back to haunt them. Well done PSG.

Brian Harrison 171 Posted 31/05/2026 at 12:07:10

I thought the call from Moyes to the owners was a very risky "Back me or sack me" call.

So, seeing it's unlikely they will sack Moyes, the only question is how serious are TFG in backing the manager???

Robert Tressell 172 Posted 31/05/2026 at 12:29:22

Thanks Steve - to answer your question, I honestly don't know.

£250m would obviously help a lot - since we need both numbers and quality to really kick on.

Being realistic - I think our spending might be more around the £150m mark. Especially since we really don't have much to sell.

That could mean we're outspent by at least 10 other clubs - possibly as many as 15 other clubs.

That would say a lot about the Friedkins' ambitions - for next season. It would suggest they are still thinking "mid-table" (i.e. stay out of any relegation trouble) - while they beaver away in the background sorting out club infrastructure and commercials.

Obviously that is a miserable prospect for fans who are well overdue much better.

But if you asked the Friedkins where they expect to be in, say, 3 to 5 years time I expect their expectations of the then manager would be:

- Europe as an absolute minimum - Strong performances in the cups (i.e. FA Cup, League Cup and whatever European competition we've qualified for) - Entertaining football + healthy goals tally - Within spitting distance of the Champions League places (and ideally Champions League qualification)

No reason why we can't expect that too. The problem is that it's miserable to wait. Hopefully Moyes can deliver something next season - although obviously he polarises opinions, there would be something "nice" about him seeing out his second spell here by winning a cup and / or getting us back in Europe.

Stan Grace 173 Posted 31/05/2026 at 13:21:48

Robert #168, Two points: "Everton: ending 2024-25... Finished 13th with the 16th highest wage bill." This year we finished 13th with the 10th highest wage bill. Would that suggest stability or decline under Moyes?

"Last season the average spend across the Premier League was circa £200M (mode and median averages)." Not sure what your point is there. We had the 11th highest spend and 7th highest net spend in 2025-2026. Both above our league position, suggesting Moyes is doing less with more money.

John Collins 174 Posted 31/05/2026 at 14:13:31

Does anyone know the rule of PSR for following season? If we don't spend anything this season can we roll it over to add it to next seasons budget?

Ryan Holroyd 175 Posted 31/05/2026 at 15:26:18

We don’t know Everton’s wage bill for this season and we won’t find out until around next March 2027

Stan Grace 176 Posted 31/05/2026 at 15:37:25

Ryan #176, This is a reliable indicator for 2025-2026 and more or less echoes what Deloitte report the year after.

https://www.capology.com/uk/premier-league/payrolls/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Robert Tressell 177 Posted 31/05/2026 at 16:49:32

Hi Stan. Fair points.

I was going from memory and was out of date.

On the wage bill - you're right we're 11th. About £45m from Newcastle in 9th. About £30m from Burnley in 20th.

In terms of the spend, I was also slightly out. We were 15th out of 20 last season, not 14th. It looks different with net spend, yes, but obviously that is skewed when you have nothing of value to sell. Lots of clubs run a side-operation in trading players these days, to free up room to spend more on first team. We're not there yet.

My point, if that was unclear, was about how the owners might be viewing all of this.

I expect they'd take the chronic under investment since 2021 into account - and not just this years' financials. I also expect they will look at the table and note that we were 2 wins of 7th (and Europe) and 2 defeats off 17th. There wasn't a huge amount to choose between about 10 clubs.

Whatever the case, we don't really stand out as having underperformed relative to investment (like the RS, Chelsea, Spurs, Forest and West Ham) or overperformed (like Villa, Bournemouth, Sunderland and Brentford).

It might appear ambitious to sack the manager - but it's all a bit illusory if it isn't matched with spending. That's why I said spending levels is a better indicator of (short term) ambition than the managerial appointment. Moyes only has a year left in any case.

Would I like another season with Moyes? Not really no. It's boring. But if we spend a decent wedge this summer then even with Moyes we should be much better placed to play some decent football and kick on.

Mike Gaynes 178 Posted 31/05/2026 at 17:36:37

Robert, the 3-to-5 year time frame you suggest might even be a bit optimistic -- it took Roma 6 years and 4 manager changes to reach the top 3 in Serie A, and they started from a much better position than we have in terms of both standing and squad quality.

I just doubt that our fan base will be that patient. You can see how fast the expectations are changing already.

Thoroughly agree that ownership ambition will be determined by squad spending, not changing managers at this point.

John #175, PSR/SCR limit for each season is 85% of revenues for the previous fiscal year, and you cannot roll that over from one season to the next. Our revenue reported out at £196.7 million, which gives Everton a theoretical spending limit over £160 million. If we only spend £120 million this summer, we can spend another £40m in January, but any unspent limit can't be added to next summer's ceiling. As I understand it, everything re-sets with our next annual revenue report.

Mick O\\\'Malley 179 Posted 31/05/2026 at 17:48:30

John agreed, that flash in the pan manager who also.done well with little old Bournemouth last season as well, but we've got Davey Moyes so looking forward to more negative goal difference, going out of both cups early and a mid table finish again, Yippee its great being a blue isn't it?

John Collins 180 Posted 31/05/2026 at 17:49:05

Mike,

Is our progress only to be linked with Romas progress only? Why is that the yardstick?

John Collins 181 Posted 31/05/2026 at 18:05:11

Wonderful Mick. Cant wait to give the match a miss while Moyes is manager. I give my ticket away 7 times last season mate. I have renewed but won't be going until he's gone

Mike Gaynes 182 Posted 31/05/2026 at 18:22:20

Not a yardstick, John, just the only indicator we have of TFG's performance as the owners of a football club.

I recently read a long, interesting account of Arsenal's rise under Edu. Sixth and a half years from Arteta's hiring, two 8th-place finishes and near sacking in 2021 to the PL title.

That could be a yardstick. Or the Three B's, all of whom required the better part of two decades to grow into what they are now.

Choose your own comparison. The thread in common is that this can take a looooooong time and there's rarely a shortcut.

Ryan Holroyd 183 Posted 31/05/2026 at 18:23:33

Stan - capology are not reliable.

John Collins 184 Posted 31/05/2026 at 18:46:40

There is no general yardstick Mike. Sunderland? Promoted and European qualification next season? Who's yardstick is that measured against?

Robert Tressell 185 Posted 31/05/2026 at 18:56:13

The currentl Sunderland owners took over in 2021 - and have been building to this ever since.

Mark Taylor 186 Posted 31/05/2026 at 19:02:28

Surely there is a problem apparent in leaving Moyes for another year if (a big if) we get the sort of transfer budget some are suggesting?

Moyes will just want to spend it on Moyes style players and the next manager may struggle to use them. On the other hand, if the recruitment team makes the call, Moyes likely won't use them.

I've said before, the owners have to first figure out what they want and what they're willing to fund. If it's low budget for another year, keep Moyes, if we want to go in a new direction, the manager needs to change to someone best suited for that direction.