Arsenal leave Budapest heartbroken after Champions League final penalty defeat to PSG

Arsenal’s players boarded their team bus to Budapest Airport on Sunday morning looking visibly shattered, hours after losing the Champions League final to Paris Saint-Germain on penalties at the Puskas Arena. Mikel Arteta’s side had drawn 1-1 after extra-time before Gabriel Magalhaes struck the decisive spot-kick over the crossbar, ending the club’s first-ever appearance in a European Cup final in defeat.

Captain Martin Odegaard led the squad out of the hotel, with Gabriel, David Raya, Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino among those photographed looking crestfallen. Declan Rice, pulling a baseball cap down over his face, appeared particularly affected, while Piero Hincapie walked with his head down. Eberechi Eze — who had missed Arsenal’s second penalty in the shootout — attempted to project a more composed demeanour alongside Jurrien Timber. Arteta himself was spotted carrying his own suitcase onto the coach.

Despite the raw disappointment, the squad must quickly recalibrate. Arsenal are scheduled to hold an open-top bus parade through Islington at 2pm on Sunday to celebrate winning the Premier League title — their first league championship in 22 years. The route covers roughly five miles, taking in Highbury, Canonbury and Upper Street before finishing back at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal Women will also feature on the parade, marking their FIFA Women’s Champions Cup victory over Corinthians at the Emirates in February.

Thousands of supporters had already gathered across north London in the early hours of Sunday morning to secure vantage points along the route, underscoring the scale of the Premier League celebration even as the European heartbreak remained fresh.

Arteta, speaking at his post-match press conference in Budapest, acknowledged the emotional complexity of the day ahead. “To the people, I already know how the team feels about them,” he said. “We are very grateful for the support they have given us throughout the season, in times of difficulty, as they have been with us, and it has been a real joy to win a league after 22 years. It hurts, it hurts a lot for them not to win, because I can’t even imagine what would have happened. We all had a huge desire to win it and tomorrow will be a beautiful day for sure.”