Mikel Arteta names three Arsenal substitutes who would have taken penalties and questions referee decision

Mikel Arteta named three players who would have taken penalties for Arsenal in their Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain – had they been on the pitch.

The Gunners were beaten 4-3 in the shootout on Saturday night and therefore extended their wait for European glory against the holders.

Getty

Gabriel was the fifth taker for Arsenal and had to score to keep them in contention of winning, but blazed his effort over the crossbar.

Defeat has come 20 years after their last Champions League final loss, with the north Londoners still waiting to lift the coveted trophy.

Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz were all substituted, so could not take a penalty in the shootout.

And Arteta has confirmed that the trio would have stepped up from 12 yards had they been eligible.

“He wanted to take it number five,” Arteta said on Gabriel taking a penalty. “We have prepared and trained for this moment.

“Normally the penalty takers would be Bukayo [Saka], Martin [Odegaard], Kai [Havertz] for sure.

“But we knew if we went to extra-time and penalties the penalty takers would be different players. You have to do this in this moment.

“We are unfortunate not to have the same precision in this moment that they had and that’s why we have not won it.”

Arsenal wanted a penalty in extra time for a foul on Noni Madueke, but nothing was given.

Arteta acknowledged the incident and appeared to suggest that his side should have had a spot-kick, which could have won it for them.

Getty

Getty

He said: “I watched all the penalties in the competition this season over the last 72 hours to understand what’s a penalty and not.

“That easily can be a penalty.”

From joy, to nerves, to despair

With only six minutes played, it looked as though Arsenal were set to add Champions League glory to their Premier League success.

Havertz smashed in the opening goal almost four years to the day since he scored the winner for Chelsea in the 2021 final.

PSG were poor throughout the first half but levelled the scoring on 65 minutes through Ousmane Dembele.

The Ballon d’Or winner netted a penalty after Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was fouled inside the area by Cristhian Mosquera.

Getty

Extra time delivered little in terms of chances, apart from the penalty call from Arsenal.

With 1-1 the final score, PSG and Arsenal battled from 12 yards to be crowned European champions.

Eberechi Eze was the first to miss as he fired his penalty wide of the post, before David Raya saved Nuno Mendes’ effort.

Gabriel then sealed it for PSG with his skyward shot to leave Arsenal waiting even longer for the Champions League crown.