The $30 million toe in the water

Sir Alex Ferguson's comments on Arsenal's Champions League final defeat have sparked debate about the team's tactics. the Gunners were beaten in heartbreaking fashion in the showpiece event in Budapest on Saturday night, with Gabriel's penalty miss condemning them to a 4-3 loss in the shootout. According to French outlet L'Equipe, Ferguson noted Arsenal's defensive approach in a congratulatory text to PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi.

Ferguson won two Champions Leagues during his iconic 27-year-spell at Old Trafford and was said to label the Gunners as 'boring'.. However, sources from Qatar Sports Investments, the majority owner of PSG , said Ferguson did not actually use that word. Instead, they cllaimed Ferguson was extrmeely positive in his message and said: 'You were the team that played football.'

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The French press felt the team 'who tried to play' deserved to claim their second successive Champions League. 'Can you be European champion with only one shot on target, a constantly low block, and 25 per cent possession?' they added. 'Perhaps, and even certainly. but it's quite fortunate that it didn't happen this Saturday night.'

The lack of attacking intent led L'Equipe to go as far as claiming Arteta had 'rejected his Barcelona legacy'. Arteta came through the youth ranks at the Catalan club and played 42 times for their B team until he spent 18 months on loan at PSG.

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The question on everyone's mind is: what does Sir Alex Ferguson's comments mean for Arsenal's future? Will they stick to their defensive approach, or will they look to change their tactics? Only time will tell.

According to French oulet L'Equipe, Ferguson noted this in a congratulatory text to PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi. Ferguson won two Champions Leagues during his iconic 27-year-spell at Old Trafford and he was said to label the Gunners as 'boring'. However, sources from Qatar Sports Investments, the majority owner of PSG, said Ferguson did not actually use that word.