Lineker names three clubs better than Arsenal this season

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FT Desk

Gary Lineker believes there have been three clubs in Europe more impressive than Arsenal this season.

The Gunners won their first Premier League title since 2004 under Mikel Arteta, who also guided them to their first Champions League final in two decades.

At the showpiece final on Saturday, Arsenal took the lead thanks to a fierce strike from Kai Havertz but were pegged back by the Parisians after a penalty from Ousmane Dembele.

The North London side largely surrendered possession to PSG for the duration - in fact, they held the lowest amount of possession in a final since the 2006 final when they played Barcelona, and they had 10 men on that occasion.

They held on to take the match to penalties, but misses from Eberechi Eze and Gabriel proved crucial as PSG retained their Champions League title.

Arsenal have largely depended on their proficiency at defending and set-pieces to progress through the competition and Lineker, a former Tottenham striker, reckons there have been three teams more elite than them currently operating in Europe.

"It was obviously disappointing for Arsenal but I do think the best team in the tournament has won again," Lineker explained on the Rest is Football podcast.

"Looking at the game as a fan with no skin in the game, I think Arsenal had to play that way because they wouldn’t have beaten PSG any other way, but at the same time I think football won.

"I know there are all different sort of ways to play and there’s nothing wrong with playing defensively. But at the same time football is entertainment and you want to see teams that are really positive, creative and have the best players and play wonderful football. I think this season those three teams have been PSG, Bayern Munich and Barcelona.

"Arsenal are brilliant defensively and PSG didn’t create much because they’re so organised but I think as a neutral it was a positive result for football. I think in terms of how football should be played, the best team won."

Arteta admitted that the loss was "painful" for he and his players but heaped praise on the prowess of PSG afterwards, saying:

"They are a superb team and I congratulate them. Individual quality they have, the manner they are coached – they are a top, top team."

Even though Arsenal fell at the final hurdle in the Champions League they have stilled enjoyed an immensely positive 2025/26 campaign and can finally call themselves Premier League champions for the first time in over 20 years.