The north Londoners’ hopes of reaching the final four of European club football’s most prestigious competition were dashed by a 63rd-minute header from Joshua Kimmich. Following the goal, the Gunners struggled to make an impact on the game, leading to a panicked ending characterized by a quick free-kick that backfired, and a series of poor decisions. Post-match analysis with TNT Sport saw ex-England ace Keown expressing disappointment with the team’s performance, emphasizing the lack of urgency and failure to pose a threat to their opponents. In considering the emotional impact on the Arsenal players, Keown admitted that the defeat will be hard to take but must be used as motivation for the remainder of the league season.

He highlighted the importance of fine margins and decision-making on the pitch, voicing his concern about the team’s performance at crucial moments. Arteta, the Gunners boss, echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the need for a swift rebound from the defeat. He highlighted the remaining games in the league and stressed the importance of treating the challenging schedule as an opportunity. Overall, both Keown and Arteta acknowledged the disappointment and hurt felt by the players and the fans, but emphasized the importance of using it as motivation moving forward.