Arsenal supporters left devastated by Champions League defeat

As England's forward Bukayo Saka walked away from the trophy, the stark reality of defeat had set in, following Arsenal's loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League final at Budapest's Puskas Arena on May 30, 2026.

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Arsenal fans, who had packed out pubs across north London in anticipation of a historic Champions League win, were instead left to nurse their disappointment after the team's painful defeat on Saturday.

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Despite the setback, fans remained optimistic, looking forward to celebrating the club's first Premier League title in 22 years, which will be paraded through the streets of the capital on Sunday.

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Berwyn Rutherford, a 75-year-old osteopath, expressed his disappointment, saying "I am gutted, so sad, it was so close," shortly after the English giants lost 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in the final.

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Paris Saint-Germain secured their second consecutive Champions League title after Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Magalhaes both missed for the Gunners in the shoot-out, a outcome that left many fans frustrated.

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Rutherford also stated "Arsenal played better, I hate penalties, it is so unfair," highlighting the sense of injustice felt by many fans after the match.

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Kai Havertz had initially given Arsenal an early lead, only for Ousmane Dembele to equalise from the spot for the French side in the second half, setting the stage for the eventual penalty shootout.

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On Saturday afternoon, thousands of Arsenal supporters gathered around the club's ground in the Highbury area of north London, transforming the streets into a sea of red and white.

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Fans donned replica shirts and Arsenal scarves, packing into bars, while others peered through pub windows at screens or watched from the comfort of their homes.

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Sam Friedman, a 34-year-old lawyer, had flown in from New York City on Saturday morning to watch the game near his beloved team's Emirates Stadium, and though disappointed, he remained positive, saying "I am sad, it's not the end of the world, next season we are going to win."

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Friedman was not alone in his efforts to put a positive spin on the season, as many fans sought to focus on the team's achievements, including their Premier League win.

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UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer echoed this sentiment, writing "Premier League champions, and within touching distance of European glory, a season we can be immensely proud of" in a post on X.

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The Premier League victory parade is scheduled to take place on Sunday, starting at 2:00 pm (1300 GMT) and lasting approximately two hours.

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Seventeen-year-old Felix Koelsch described the outcome of Saturday's game as "disappointing", but remained hopeful, saying "But they played so well, it's just a matter of time, they will win, we won the league and it's more than enough!"