Philippe Senderos says Arsenal must keep core after Champions League loss

Retired Arsenal centre-back Philippe Senderos sat down with Get French Football News to discuss Arsenal's defeat in the UEFA Champions League final to Paris Saint-Germain. He reflected on the implications of the loss for Arsenal's future. Senderos praised the ownership group, the Qataris, sporting director Luis Campos and coach Luis Enrique for their recent work at Paris Saint-Germain. He noted that PSG have moved away from big stars, given Enrique control, and have secured back‑to‑back Champions League titles. He added that the French side’s squad averages 24 years of age. According to Senderos, Arsenal’s campaign this season was crucial after a 22‑year league drought. He recalled that Arsenal were semi‑finalists in Europe last season and reached the final this year, remaining unbeaten in the competition until the final match. Senderos highlighted the role of sporting director Andrea Berta, who added depth to Arsenal’s squad last season. He said manager Mikel Arteta is likely to seek additional quality in the upcoming summer transfer window. He suggested that adding a few more players could make the squad very strong. The former defender argued that Arsenal should aim to control games with the ball rather than sit back. He warned that any new signings must not unbalance the core that won the league. He indicated that some current players may have run their course and could depart. When asked about rivals, Senderos named Manchester United, noting the influence of Michael Carrick on their recent consistency. He also mentioned Manchester City’s quality, Chelsea’s young talent, and Liverpool’s potential resurgence. He observed that with Pep Guardiola gone, the competition landscape is shifting. Senderos concluded that Arsenal have momentum and could repeat their success next season if they maintain the right mentality. He expressed hope that the club can build on this season’s achievements despite the competitive environment.