Peter Schmeichel dropped a bombshell: Arsenal's historic Champions League final berth doesn't even make them the second-best team in Europe this season. The Gunners punched their ticket to Budapest with a gritty 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid, securing a 2-1 aggregate victory. But the legendary goalkeeper isn't impressed.
Mikel Arteta's squad now awaits Paris Saint-Germain in the final after the French side delivered a masterclass at the Allianz Arena. PSG dismantled Bayern Munich with polished, mature football that left the German champions reeling. Ousmane Dembele's early strike shattered Bayern's confidence, and they never truly recovered.
Harry Kane scored a stoppage-time equalizer, but it was a hollow consolation. Bayern crashed out, and Schmeichel didn't mince words: "I still think Bayern Munich are the second-best team in Europe, and PSG is by far the best." He believes Bayern, despite their limp exit, still outclass the Arsenal team heading to the final.
"If you leave a tournament beaten by a much better team, that's some consolation," Schmeichel said. "You can take that confidence into next season." He credited Vincent Kompany for improving Bayern, but insisted PSG's dominance was undeniable from the first whistle.
The German giants were left fuming over a denied penalty. Goalkeeper Matvei Safonov's uncertain punch led to Vitinha's clearance smashing into teammate Joao Neves' arm. Replays showed Neves' arm away from his body, but because it was a PSG player making the clearance, no handball was given.
Kompany was visibly frustrated. "I understand if they're disappointed," he said. "We gave everything. It was a game of details. We've played PSG five times in two years—two wins, two losses, and now a draw. The officials' decisions across both legs mattered. Too much went against us."
