Champions League final PLAYER RATINGS: Who was the man Arsenal needed more from? And who showed why Mikel Arteta has so much faith?

While Paris Saint-Germain became the European champion once again, Arsenal suffered a heartbreaking defeat after losing on penalties in the Champions League final.

So who stopped Arsenal from ‘needing more’? Which star repaid Mikel Arteta’s faith? So who found themselves ‘shaken’ early on?

Kai Havertz’s early goal allowed the Gunners to take control and they proved to be a tough nut to crack for most of the game until Cristhian Camira fouled Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

After a long VAR check, the decision stood and Ousmane Dembele made no mistake from the spot.

The game went to extra time, then penalties, and Gunners defender Gabriel broke Arsenal hearts by missing the decisive spot-kick.

Daily Mail Sport ISAAN KHAN was at Puskas Arena to evaluate the players.

At PSG (4-3-3)

MATVEY SAFONOV – 6

Havertz should have performed better in goal because he stayed where he was instead of getting bigger. He screwed up in the first half.

ACHRAF HAKIM – 5.5

Without boiling. He made fouls, got away with some and struggled to keep going. Put your arm around Havertz’s neck.

MARQUINHOS – 7

His shot rebounded off Trossard and into the path of Havertz, who scored. He made solid blocks and threw himself into the firing line. Leader’s show.

WILLIAN PACHO – 6.5

He got under pressure at times and made decisions in panic, but when it mattered he hung in there.

NUNO MENDES – 7.5

He led most of PSG’s play from the left wing. He tried to take the ball forward, causing the midfield to turn into reverse. His penalty was saved.

FABIAN RUIZ – 5

It was shaken early. He often tried to force things in the final third, but this rarely yielded results.

VITINHA – 8.5

I enjoyed plenty of possession. He took advantage of the extra time he had with the ball. A good chance in the 89th minute, his shot went just over the bar.

Vitinha controlled the game for PSG and had a chance to score a late goal in normal time.

Joao Neves – 7.5

It is created in the middle. He didn’t look flustered and helped control the tempo alongside Vitinha.

Arzu Doue – 6

He was energetic with dazzling runs in the last period, but struggled with the final product. This stifled PSG, who took the lead in the final third.

OUSMANE DEMBELE: 7

He had many half positions in the first half but could not get into real shooting positions. He expertly put the penalty into the goal to equalize.

KHVICHA KARATSHELIA – 7

He scored a penalty for his team by cleverly shooting an arrow into the area. He was left out of the game in the quiet first half, but entered the match and later sent the ball into the goal.

Manager

LUIS ENRIQUE-8

He defended the Champions League. What a great success.

Luis Enrique becomes the second manager to defend the Champions League

Arsenal (4-2-3-1)

DAVID RAYA – 6.5

He was rarely called into action due to his backline. He played many long punts in the opposition half, contrasting with his usual short passes at the back.

CHRISTIAN MOSQUE – 6

He was going really well as the opposition tried to get past him before he made a stupid challenge to concede a penalty when he was on a yellow card. I’m lucky I wasn’t sent away.

WILLIAM SALIBA – 7.5

Good positioning throughout with occasional lunges forward to break lines. He knew most of the opponents from his national team duties and that helped. I got tired in extra time.

Gabriel – 7.5

A catalog of powerful, well-timed tackles set Arsenal up. He faced challenges head on and did the same on a major occasion. But we missed in the penalty shootout. Devastating.

Gabriel was solid in Arsenal’s defense but missed the decisive penalty kick

PIERO HİNCAPIE – 7.5

Very aggressive in challenges. He did not back down or hesitate in a 50-50 duel. He is a difficult man to surpass because of this belief.

MARTIN ODEGAARD-4.5

Disappointment. There wasn’t much going on the ball. It didn’t help his team lose possession and come back. Arsenal needed more from their captain.

DECLAN RICE – 6.5

He covered a lot of ground and helped out well in defensive duties. He showed off the great engine he has in a game that requires constant backtracking.

MYLES LEWIS-SKELLY – 7.5

He singled out Eberechi Eze and Martin Zubimendi and showed why Mikel Arteta has so much confidence in him. He is solid at defending the ball from opponents and makes multiple post-recoveries.

BUKAYO SAKA – 5.5

In the 26th minute, a good cross was sent to the area. He had to backtrack to help his team. He couldn’t make the impact he could have.

KAI HAVERTZ-7

He won the Champions League for Chelsea in 2021 and put Arsenal ahead in that final with a powerful strike into the net. A great chance was wasted at the end of the first half.

LEANDRO TROSSARD – 6

Marquinhos’ shot rebounded into the path of Havertz and resulted in the opener. Like Saka, his duties focused on returning to his home turf.

Manager

MIKEL ARTETA – 7

His team came close to winning the first European Cup in Arsenal’s 140-year history. Brave effort.

Mikel Arterta’s team came close to the European Cup for the first time in 140 years but ultimately failed

Reserves

VIKTOR GYOKERES – 6

JURRIEN TIMBER – 6

NONI MADUEKE – 6.5

GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 6

MARTIN ZUBIMENDI – 6.5

EBERECİ EZE – 6

Judge

DANIEL SIEBERT-6

One or two questionable decisions, but overall just let the game flow. Big decision canceling Madueke’s penalty kick.