Arteta: PSG final defeat is 'poison in my veins' driving new contract

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Mikel Arteta says the pain of losing the Champions League final to Paris Saint-Germain has stayed with him as motivation for the years ahead, describing the defeat as leaving 'poison in my veins'.

Arsenal's remarkable 2025/26 season, which ended Arsenal's 22-year wait for the Premier League title, was ultimately overshadowed by heartbreak in Budapest. Just 11 days after lifting the Premier League trophy, Arteta's side were beaten on penalties by PSG following a 1-1 draw in the Champions League final.

That disappointment has clearly lingered. Speaking to The Athletic, Arteta was asked whether the loss compared to what Arsene Wenger once described as a 'scar on my heart'. His answer left little doubt about how deeply the result still affects him.

'I still have the scar, like Arsene says. I still have that poison in my veins,' Arteta said. 'It has to stay there because that's when you learn and that probably is going to be a massive driver for me and everybody.'

New deal, same hunger

The comments come in the same week Arsenal rewarded Arteta with a new contract running until 2030, making him the Premier League's highest-paid manager on close to £20million per year. Having taken charge in December 2019, Arteta has steadily transformed the club's fortunes, culminating in last season's title win after three consecutive second-place finishes.

Rather than treating the new deal as a moment to settle, Arteta framed it as the start of a longer project. 'Globally, with our supporters? Great,' he said. 'How are we going to build the next three squads? Great. How the rules of the game are going to change us, and how we're going to stay ahead of that to take advantage? Great.'

He added: 'But this is going to happen if every single day we look after what we built. We make it a little bit better, like software that is upgrading and upgrading. When can it stop is infinite.'

His remarks echoed comments made when he first signed the extension, when he described Arsenal as a 'unique' club and spoke of a 'special bond' built with the squad and fanbase.

Eyes on PSG once more

With PSG now chasing back-to-back Champions League titles, Arteta's comments suggest Europe's premier competition remains a central target this season, even as Arsenal look to defend their Premier League crown.

Arsenal return to action on Saturday against Leeds following a three-week international break, which came after a 3-0 defeat to Brighton. Champions League business follows soon after, with Lille due at the Emirates Stadium as fixtures intensify across all competitions.