Pundits split over penalty snub that haunts Arsenal's Champions League final defeat to PSG

Arsenal’s Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest has been overshadowed by a penalty controversy that split pundits and left Mikel Arteta’s side wondering what might have been. The Gunners drew 1-1 after 90 minutes, lost 4-3 in the shootout, and were denied what many felt was a legitimate spot-kick during extra time.

The flashpoint came when Noni Madueke went to ground following a shoulder-to-shoulder challenge with PSG’s Nuno Mendes. Referee Daniel Siebert waved play on, VAR did not intervene, and the decision stood — but not without fierce protest. Declan Rice and Arteta were both booked for their reactions on the touchline and pitch respectively.

Gabriel Magalhaes missed the decisive penalty in the shootout and was immediately consoled by teammates and PSG captain Marquinhos, his Brazil international colleague.

Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown argued the referee got the call right. “Mendes, what saves him, he just gets his arm across, which remains goal side,” Keown said. “If he’s completely the other side there, that’s a penalty. The referee’s right on the spot, I don’t think VAR will see enough in that to overrule the referee’s decision.”

Commentator Ally McCoist took the opposite view. “I think I’m giving that, you know,” he said, though he acknowledged Madueke’s own arm movement as a complicating factor.

Steven Gerrard was sympathetic to Arsenal’s case without being definitive. “I think it’s very clumsy from Mendes. I also think there’s a bit of contact — I think Arsenal can be hard done by, in my opinion.”

Former Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere pointed to the reaction of the players on the pitch as telling. “I’ve seen them given, and if it was given, I don’t think we’d say ‘Ah, that’s definitely not a penalty’,” Wilshere said. “You can see the players on the pitch, they know, and Dec [Rice] was fuming — I can see it, I’ve seen them given.”

The defeat ends Arsenal’s wait for a first European Cup, and the penalty debate is likely to linger long after the final whistle in Budapest.