Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta points finger over PSG loss and makes Thomas Partey statement

boss rejected the notion that suspension was the reason behind their 1-0 defeat to , instead pointing the finger at the Gunners' start to the match. Several Amazon Prime pundits lamented the lack of Partey and his presence in midfield, but Arteta was quick to take issue elsewhere.

Ousmane Dembele's eighth European goal of the campaign . Mikel Merino had a goal disallowed for offside in the second half but the Gunners will need a big effort to overturn such a deficit against one of the teams of the season.

"Disappointed with the result obviously," Arteta reflected. "We put so much into the game. It's true that the first 10-15 minutes we struggled to get momentum and to get the dominance that we wanted, especially because we were in great positions to regain the ball and it caused us a few issues.

"Regardless of that it didn't have any impact on the goal, it's a very individual moment but that is the margins at this level. I thought the team got better and better and disappointed not to get a draw."

Partey, who was suspended for the match due to accumulation of yellow cards, was deemed a big miss for the Gunners. That was highlighted when Dembele found acres of space in the middle of the pitch and ended up firing past David Raya from the edge of the box.

Arteta, however, downplayed Partey's absence as the reason for 's defeat and instead took the time to praise two of his midfielders for their performances.

When asked if missed Partey, he replied: "I don't know, I think and Mikel [Merino] were enormous tonight."

On the influence Partey's return to the team will have, Arteta added: "He gives options and a different threat. It gives us flexibility to change the game. It's half-time and we have a big chance to be in the final."

Arteta was quick to praise his European opponents, with PSG showcasing once again why they have long been considered one of the favourites to lift the trophy in next month in Munich.

"That is always the danger, credit to them," Arteta said of Dembele's goal. "They get out of a situation that is close. We had seven players behind the ball and they were clinical, sometimes you just have to recognise the talent of the individual.

"Great timing, the margins, millimetres offside. The action of [Gabriel] Martinelli one-on-one, he has done that before. [Leandro] Trossard in a one-on-one and he [Donnarumma] makes the save. That's the margins, that's the level."