PSG have become the first club since Real Madrid to retain the UEFA Champions League title, defeating Premier League champions Arsenal in the final in Budapest to complete a back-to-back triumph that cements their place among European football's elite.

The result was a crushing blow for Arsenal and manager Mikel Arteta, who now face searching questions about whether they did enough over the course of the final to challenge PSG's dominance.

Marquinhos' moment of grace

One of the most talked-about moments after the final whistle was a touching gesture from PSG captain Marquinhos toward Arsenal's Gabriel, who had missed a penalty during the match. The act of sportsmanship drew widespread admiration and gave an emotional dimension to the occasion beyond the scoreline.

Arteta under scrutiny

Arsenal's tactics drew debate among analysts. Former Arsenal defender Matt Upson and Premier League winner Chris Sutton both weighed in on whether Arteta's gameplan was correctly calibrated for the scale of the occasion. The consensus centred on whether Arsenal offered enough going forward to truly threaten a PSG side operating at the peak of their powers.

Arteta, speaking after the defeat, addressed his players directly — making clear what lessons he expects the squad to draw from the experience and how he intends to push Arsenal forward from here.

Is PSG now among football's greatest clubs?

The question of where PSG rank historically gained serious traction following their second consecutive Champions League triumph. French football journalist Julien Laurens and chief football correspondent John Murray both contributed to an analysis of how Luis Enrique's side should be assessed — and whether back-to-back European titles place them in truly rarefied company.

Luis Enrique's achievement as PSG boss is being examined closely. Guiding a squad to consecutive Champions League titles is a feat only Real Madrid had managed in the modern era of the competition, and the Spaniard's tactical intelligence and man-management have drawn significant praise.

What next for Arsenal?

For all the pain of the Budapest defeat, Arsenal's run to the Champions League final represents genuine progress. The debate now shifts to what concrete steps Arteta and the club must take to close the gap — in terms of squad depth, experience, and decision-making under pressure — to ensure they are not bystanders when trophies at this level are distributed.

The analysts were united in believing Arsenal possess the foundations to compete at the very highest level. The challenge is converting potential into silverware when the defining moments of a final arrive.