PSG ended the European season by lifting the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League following a 5-0 drubbing of Inter Milan. The French Champions knocked out Arsenal in the Semifinals and won their first ever Champions League trophy. The Gunners are now the team with the longest matches played in the UCL without winning the trophy.

The Gunners finished the season without a trophy – a semifinal exit in the Champions League, 2nd spot behind Liverpool in the Premier League, a semifinal defeat to Newcastle in the League Cup and an early exit to Manchester United in the FA Cup. It was a tough one for the team and the fans who felt this was a season the gunners would win the Premier League or at least any of the cup trophies.

You can blame the red cards and poor officiating, but you can’t overlook the lack of killer instincts in the Arsenal squad. The Gunners had 14 draws in the league, 9 of which they were leading – a massive 18pts lost. Arsenal’s failure to get forward players in the January transfer window is adds to the reason for this season’s near-miss.

Despite the injuries and lack of an outright striker, Arsenal had good memories from the just completed season. Arteta extended Arsenal’s unbeaten run against the “top six” with the 5-1 win over Manchester City the biggest win of the lot in the season with goals from teenagers Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri. The Semifinal victory over Real Madrid should be the biggest tie of the season for the gunners. A two-legged victory over Europe’s historical best is not something to be swept under the carpet. You can watch Declan Rice’s freekicks over and over again. He is Arsenal’s best player of the season, ahead of Saka and Raya.

We saw the last of some players in the Arsenal jersey. Kieran Tierney scored as he bade farewell to the Gunners on the last day of the PL season. Jorginho is also another, who is confirmed to leave Ashburton Grove at the end of the season. Loanees – Sterling & Neto didn’t bring the spark we expected, especially the former who came with so many expectations. In all, Arsenal have released 20 players and have commenced discussions with Thomas Partey and 2 other players.

We can say the transfer window is open and Arsenal will need to conduct their business quickly and decisively. We have been linked with Gyokeres, Sesko, Isak, Sane as options upfront and for sure, Arsenal need to fortify to compete better next season. My wish list is 2 center forwards, 2 wingers, 1 playmaker, 1 defensive midfielder and 1 goalkeeper. I am not sure of Arteta’s list nor Berta’s. Maybe I am dreaming.

Congratulations to the Women team, winning the 2024/25 Women Champions League is testament of how the new coach has turned the team around. I am not sure how many phases she had to go through to bring silverware to the Ladies.

It is going to be a long pause to the new season. We would have the luxury of the FIFA World Club Cup to keep us engaged while waiting on the NNL Super-8 and the finals of the NFF Federation Cup. Kudos to Remo Stars on their first league title. I wonder how Heartland FC would feel, getting relegated in consecutive seasons. We would have a look at the NPFL stats for the season in another post.

For now, take that break from football.