GUNNERS DONN FOR

Inspired PSG keeper is the hero as Arteta stars crash out

- BY JOHN CROSS

IT WILL ultimately go down as a case of what could have been for Mikel Arteta's nearly men.

Arsenal just could not find the "magic moment" that Arteta had asked from his players as their Champions League adventure came to an end in the Parc des Princes.

They are consigned to another season without a trophy but will also look back upon this night with regret because they had the chances - particularly early on - to pull off another huge result.

Paris Saint-Germain keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma also made the save of a lifetime to deny Martin Odegaard and you rarely get second chances on the biggest stage. Bukayo Saka got a late consolation but also missed a sitter and Arsenal just could not find a way back as they were given a harsh lesson in finishing by PSG and a reminder you cannot win anything without a striker.

Arsenal paid a heavy price for not signing a No.9 last summer and again in January with Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus still out injured. Mikel Merino as a makeshift striker has just not been enough.