Sunday’s briefing: Arsenal suffer Champions League loss and Slot exits Liverpool
By Press Association Sport Staff
Arsenal’s hopes of adding Champions League glory to their Premier League crown ended in penalty shootout defeat to Paris St Germain.
Meanwhile, Liverpool have sacked manager Arne Slot and Scotland’s Billy Gilmour is out of the World Cup.
Champions League anguish for Gunners
Arsenal fell short in their bid to win the Champions League for the first time as they were beaten on penalties by holders PSG in Budapest.
Eberechi Eze and Gabriel both missed from the spot as PSG recorded a 4-3 shoot-out victory to retain their title after the game ended 1-1 as Kai Havertz’s sixth-minute opener was cancelled out by Ousmane Dembele’s second-half penalty.
Eze dragged his spot-kick wide before David Raya saved from Nuno Mendes.
With the shoot-out in the balance at 3-3, Lucas Beraldo sent Raya the wrong way before Gabriel blazed over.
Arteta reveals “pain” of defeat
Mikel Arteta admitted Arsenal’s Champions League defeat to PSG was “very tough to accept” and claimed his side could “easily” have been awarded an extra-time penalty.
The Gunners felt they could have had a spot-kick when Noni Madueke was bundled over by Mendes but nothing was given.
Manager Arteta and midfielder Declan Rice were both booked for protesting in the aftermath.
Asked to explain his emotions, Arteta said: “Pain. It is very tough to accept when you are so consistent all the way to the final and in the end you lose the trophy on penalties.”
Reflecting on the Madueke incident, he said: “I watched all the penalties in the competition in the last 72 hours to understand what a penalty is and what is not, and that easily can be a penalty.”
Slot sacked by Liverpool
Liverpool have sacked head coach Slot after a disappointing Premier League title defence.
Fans turned on the Dutchman after a number of poor performances – the team lost 19 times during the 2025-26 campaign – and there was some disharmony in the dressing room, with Mohamed Salah the most outspoken.
“Liverpool FC can confirm Arne Slot is to depart his role as head coach with immediate effect and that the process to appoint a successor is under way,” read a club statement.
Departing Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola is the early favourite to replace him.
Gilmour to miss World Cup
Scotland midfielder Gilmour has been ruled out of the World Cup with a knee injury.
The 24-year-old Napoli playmaker was forced off in Saturday’s 4-1 friendly win over Curacao at Barclays Hampden.
Manager Steve Clarke said: “I am devastated for Billy because he has been an integral part of our World Cup qualifying campaign.”
Scotland came from behind to win the match with Gilmour’s replacement, Findlay Curtis, on target before a Lawrence Shankland double and late Ryan Christie penalty.
What’s on today?
Arsenal may be returning home in disappointment but they will still celebrate their Premier League success with an open-top bus parade.
On the field, Women’s Super League champions Manchester City take on Brighton in the FA Cup final. North of the border, rivals Rangers and Celtic clash in the Women’s Scottish Cup final.
