Lineker and Ferguson brand Arsenal's Champions League final display 'negative football' after PSG win

Arsenal were beaten 4-3 on penalties by Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final on Sunday, with the match ending 1-1 after 120 minutes — and the Gunners’ ultra-defensive performance has drawn sharp criticism from Gary Lineker, Sir Alex Ferguson, and PSG midfielder Joao Neves.

Mikel Arteta’s side, who claimed the 2025/26 Premier League title earlier in the season, managed just seven shots and 0.51 expected goals across the full 120 minutes. Kai Havertz’s sixth-minute strike was their most threatening moment in a match where PSG dominated possession 75% to 25% and created three times as many Opta-defined Big Chances (3-1) and shots (21-7).

Speaking on his Rest is Football podcast, Lineker acknowledged the tactical logic behind Arsenal’s approach while making clear where his sympathies lay. “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,” he said. “As a complete neutral I would say it’s a victory for positive football over negative football.”

Lineker praised Arsenal’s defending as “brilliant” before adding: “Football is entertainment and you want to see teams that are really positive, creative and have the best players and play wonderful football… in terms of how football should be played, the best team won.”

Sir Alex Ferguson echoed that sentiment in a text message sent to PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, reported by journalist Ben Jacobs. The former Manchester United manager wrote: “You were the team that played football” — a pointed reference to PSG’s dominant, attack-minded display throughout the match.

PSG midfielder Joao Neves, who played every available minute of the final, was equally direct in his assessment. “I think we deserved this title. I saw only one team on the pitch, to be honest,” said the 21-year-old.

The result leaves Arsenal still searching for their first European Cup, and the manner of the defeat — penalty heartbreak after a deeply conservative performance — is likely to fuel debate about Arteta’s tactical choices on the biggest stage for some time.