PSG are European champions once again, securing their second consecutive UEFA Champions League title after coming from behind to defeat Arsenal in a tense and controversial final. Marko, Mark, and Mateo break down the key moments, debate Arsenal's defensive approach, argue over the refereeing decisions, and ask the big question: is this the beginning of a PSG dynasty? Plus, where does this leave Arsenal, and who are the favourites for next season's Champions League?
PSG have done it again.
The Champions League trophy is heading back to Paris after PSG claimed their second consecutive UEFA Champions League title, coming from behind to defeat Arsenal in a dramatic final.
In this episode of A Semi-Informed Football Podcast, Marko, Mark, and Mateo break down the biggest talking points from the match:
⚽ Kai Havertz's early opener and Arsenal's defensive approach
⚽ The controversial refereeing moments that divided opinion
⚽ Khvicha Kvaratskhelia's influence and PSG's match-winning quality
⚽ Whether Arsenal should view this as a step forward or another painful setback
⚽ Is Mikel Arteta's project now officially over—and has Arsenal become a genuine European powerhouse?
⚽ Could PSG be building the next great football dynasty after back-to-back Champions League triumphs?
⚽ Bold predictions for next season's Champions League winners
As always, expect lively debate, Premier League vs La Liga arguments, tactical discussions, and the occasional disagreement between Mark and Mateo.
A huge thank you to Feedspot for featuring A Semi-Informed Football Podcast among the football podcasts we love to follow. Your support helps us continue bringing weekly football debates, reactions, and semi-informed opinions to listeners around the world.
PSG Are Champions Again | Arsenal Fall Short | Semi-Informed Football Podcast
Marko:
Hello everybody, and welcome back to the Semi-Informed Football Podcast.
PSG are champions again. Arsenal fans aren't too happy. And while the story wasn't the greatest final ever played, it was certainly an interesting one.
So I'm going to throw this right off the bat.
Mateo, was this a better game than last year's final against Inter Milan?
Mateo:
First and foremost, thanks for having me back on the podcast.
And I have to say, this final was probably one of the best finals we've seen in the past ten years. That's not saying it was fantastic, but both teams scored, there was controversy, and it wasn't a complete snoozefest.
What's not to like?
Marko:
Got it.
Mark, I'm going to throw this one to you.
Does this say that the Premier League is somehow a secondary league compared to Ligue 1, with PSG coming out on top?
Mark:
Absolutely not.
And this was not one of the best finals we've seen.
Mateo:
The standard has been horrendous. I'm not saying it was a great game, but compared to most finals...
Marko:
Was it because it was tight?
I can understand both of your points. Looking at it, Kai Havertz scored early in his second Champions League final, only about six minutes in.
But it felt like that goal really affected how Arsenal played for the rest of the match. They seemed content to sit back.
Am I right in saying that?
Mark:
Yeah.
They scored six minutes in and probably surprised themselves more than anybody.
You look at Arteta and the Arsenal fans — they were in shock.
Even Havertz looked surprised it went in.
Then they immediately went back to their strategy:
Let's play the most boring football imaginable.
People will say, "Well, they almost won."
Fine.
But it's killing football. It's boring as hell.
Mateo:
I think you're being pretty harsh.
We've seen teams like Atletico Madrid do the exact same thing and get nowhere near the criticism Arsenal are getting.
Mark:
How many shots did Arsenal have after scoring and before PSG equalized?
Zero.
And you're telling me that's the same thing?
Mateo:
In terms of parking the bus? Absolutely.
Arsenal had a lead. PSG are more dangerous on the counter than they are in possession.
Outside of Kvaratskhelia, who can create something out of nothing?
I have no issue with Arsenal defending the lead. It's what they're best at.
Mark:
So you're okay with a team parking the bus?
Mateo:
When you're winning?
Sure.
I'm not saying it's beautiful football.
I'm saying it's a strategy.
Mark:
That's literally the argument.
Mateo:
If it helps you win and hurts your opponent, that's football.
Mark:
So they've been parking the bus all season then.
Mateo:
Pretty much.
Let's be honest.
Marko:
Fair enough.
It wasn't as exciting as PSG versus Bayern Munich in the semifinal.
That tie was chaos from start to finish.
But before PSG equalized, I genuinely thought Arsenal might sneak away with a 1–0 win.
Mateo:
So did I.
Mark:
And the referee was helping them all tournament.
Mateo:
Oh no. Here we go.
I thought if anything he was against Arsenal in the second half.
Mark:
Let's talk about Bukayo Saka's handball.
He's literally swatting at the ball.
That's not ball-to-hand.
He's moving toward it.
Mateo:
I disagree.
Mark:
Okay.
What was he doing then?
Mateo:
It wasn't intentional.
He's trying to regain balance and his arm hits the ball.
Mark:
That's not natural.
Watch it again.
Mateo:
He's trying to regain balance.
Mark:
Then why does his arm move toward the ball?
Mateo:
I don't have the replay in front of me.
Mark:
Beautiful analysis from someone who hasn't seen it again.
Marko:
To be fair, Mark, let's talk about the incident involving Nuno Mendes in extra time.
I watched it a few times.
I understand why it wasn't given, but if it happened to Arsenal, do we think it gets called?
I'm not sure.
Mark:
Mateo.
Penalty or not?
Mateo:
I don't think it's a penalty.
But we've definitely seen those given.
Mark:
So is it a penalty?
Mateo:
No.
But referees have made that call before.
If the referee was truly favouring Arsenal, he probably gives it.
Marko:
That's exactly my point.
At the time I was shocked it wasn't called.
After seeing it again, I think the right decision was made.
Marko:
Let's move on.
PSG have now won two Champions Leagues in a row.
They've reached a Club World Cup Final.
This squad is young.
So I'll ask the big question:
Is this the beginning of a dynasty?
Mark:
It could be.
They've won more Champions Leagues in two years than Pep Guardiola managed with Manchester City during his entire spell there.
The only thing that stops this becoming a dynasty is if they make too many changes.
This squad is loaded with young talent.
Just add a couple of pieces and keep building.
Marko:
And they're one of the youngest squads in Europe.
Mark:
Exactly.
The quality is ridiculous.
Marko:
Maybe something we can all agree on.
Kvaratskhelia winning Champions League Player of the Tournament.
Any objections?
Mateo?
Mateo:
None at all.
He's the one player in this team who can create magic out of nothing.
For me, he's PSG's best player.
I have no issue with him winning it.
I'd put him ahead of Dembélé without hesitation.
Mark:
One hundred percent agree.
PSG's biggest signing wasn't Neymar.
It wasn't Messi.
It wasn't Mbappé.
Their crowning moment was signing Kvaratskhelia.
Marko:
Interesting question.
Was this the best loss of Mikel Arteta's Arsenal tenure?
Mateo:
What do you mean by "best loss"?
Marko:
A defeat where they actually come away with more credibility than damage.
Mark:
Probably.
Most people expected PSG to blow Arsenal away.
Instead Arsenal kept it close.
They were genuinely in the game.
Mateo:
Completely respectable performance.
Nothing to be ashamed of.
The Premier League title celebrations the next day probably helped soften the blow too.
Marko:
So are Arsenal now beyond the "project" stage?
Are they officially a European powerhouse?
Mark:
They should be.
They just won the Premier League.
Pep is gone.
If Arsenal don't finish top three next season, serious questions need to be asked.
Marko:
I agree.
The expectations have changed.
Winning changes everything.
Mark:
Exactly.
This isn't a project anymore.
Now it's about dominance.
Can they repeat?
Can they win the Champions League?
That's the standard now.
Marko:
Looking ahead, does this create a France versus England rivalry heading into the World Cup?
Mateo:
Not really.
Club football and international football are very different.
The players all mix together anyway.
But it would be a fantastic matchup.
Mark:
I don't think the final changes that rivalry at all.
Marko:
Who wins next year's Champions League?
Mark:
PSG.
Marko:
Mateo, which player's stock rose the most tonight?
Mateo:
Kvaratskhelia.
If it wasn't already sky high, it is now.
Marko:
Mark, who disappointed you most?
Mark:
Declan Rice.
I kept waiting for a magical moment and it never came.
Mateo:
That's harsh.
For me it was Saka.
Mark:
He definitely flopped.
Marko:
Mateo, does PSG win three in a row?
Mateo:
No.
Barcelona wins it next year.
Marko:
Mark, is Arsenal closer to their first Champions League title or further away?
Mark:
Closer.
You can laugh at them all you want.
The reality is they're back.
A couple more pieces and they're right there.
Marko:
That's it from us.
Before we go, a huge thank you to Feedspot for featuring the podcast. We're incredibly proud to be included.
Mark:
And thank you for listening.
Seriously — tell a friend, tell your group chat.
Mateo:
You can find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube.
Like, subscribe and follow.
All the things we pretend not to care about but absolutely do.
Marko:
Amazing.
Until next time...
We're keeping you...
Mark:
...Semi-Informed.