“Pain” – that was the first word out of Mikel Arteta’s mouth in his post-match news conference when asked how he would sum up his side’s Champions League final defeat in Budapest.
Arsenal, who were unbeaten in the competition this season heading into Saturday’s final, missed out on becoming European invincibles with their penalty shootout defeat.
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Before the game, Arteta said he wanted to use their Premier League success as a platform to reach bigger destinations and aim for more silverware.
But, unfortunately, his side fell at the final hurdle in their pursuit of a first European trophy, in their first Champions League final since 2006.
Arsenal have still had an excellent season, having won the Premier League for the first time in 22 years, but could the manner of the defeat be what pushes them on next season?
The manager and players understandably looked dejected after the full-time whistle.
“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,” Arteta said.
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“We need to do better, we have to improve and we have to find different margins to get the outcome we want.”
He has already turned his attention to next season and helping Arsenal return to this stage.
“First of all, I will take a few days with my family and then we will start the process to review what we have done,” he said. “We will have to start making some very important decisions if we want to reach another level.
“We are going to have to show that ambition because we are more than capable of doing it, but it is going to demand us to be very ambitious, very fast and very smart.”
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Arsenal spent around £250m in last summer’s transfer window and they look set to invest again, with a midfielder, left winger and striker all targets this summer.
“They are 100% not going away,” former Manchester City defender Nedum Onouha told BBC Sport. “They have shown this season and last season that they are good enough to go deep in the Champions League.
“Even though they have lost, they are still one of the best teams in Europe.”
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