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Back-to-back Champions League-winning manager Luis Enrique praised Arsenal’s performance in Budapest, expressing confidence that the Gunners are on the verge of European glory.

Arsenal took an early lead in the sixth minute through Kai Havertz, but Paris Saint-Germain equalised in the second half thanks to Ousmane Dembele’s penalty.

After 120 minutes of intense football, the match went to a penalty shootout to decide the champion.

The Gunners’ long-awaited dream of lifting the Champions League trophy for the first time in their 140-year history ended in heartbreak after a 4-3 loss in the shootout, as both Eberechi Eze and Gabriel missed their spot-kicks.

The victory marked consecutive European Cup titles for PSG and Enrique, who nevertheless took time to applaud Arsenal’s progress and determination throughout the season.

“Arsenal are getting closer and closer,” Enrique told TNT Sports. “This team keeps adding attacking strength and passion. They have what it takes to win everything. It will hurt tonight, but they played brilliantly. It’s normal—they tried to bring the game into phases where they’re strong. We focused on keeping possession and pressing, and we came out with the title.”

He later added: “It’s a cruel outcome for Arsenal fans, but it’s only a matter of time before this club wins the Champions League. Mikel Arteta will see the positives, because that’s the kind of person he is.”

Enrique described Havertz’s goal as a “lucky action”, but also commended Arsenal’s disciplined defence for limiting PSG’s dangerous attack and preventing open-play goals.

Speaking to CBS Sports, Enrique said: “When you face a team like Arsenal under Mikel Arteta, they defend with great organisation. They were fortunate to start with that early action and score, which made things tougher for us, but after that, they defended with real discipline and depth.”