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Should Arsenal have had a penalty in extra time against PSG? Arteta breaks silence
31st May, 2026 12:05 AM
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has responded to the argument that the Premier League champions should have had a penalty against PSG during the UEFA Champions League final in Budapest, Hungary.
In a tense encounter on Saturday, May 30, 2026, where the French champions emerged winners of the European title, Arsenal and their fans felt that they deserved a penalty when Noni Madueke went down in the area under a challenge by Nuno Mendes in extra time.
Arteta has his say
“I watched it back, and it can easily be a penalty. Basically, we see the penalties they have given in the competition this season. The referee made that decision, but he made a different one with Mosquera. That’s an important one,” Arteta said as quoted by Sky Sports.
Rice reacts to controversial decision
“I’ve not seen it back yet, but at the time on the pitch, I thought Noni was ahead of him. Looking back at the one we got against Bayer Leverkusen, it was very similar.
“I’m not going to get into it now. At the time, I was devastated,” the midfielder said.
Arteta on defeat
Arteta: Arsenal must use defeat as fuel to reach next level
“First of all, you have to go through that pain, digest it, and turn it into fuel to improve and reach a different level,” the Spaniard added.
“I want to congratulate PSG because, in my opinion, they are the best team in the world. What they are able to do with the ball, with individual actions, is credit to their players.”
Rice on Champions League final defeat
“Overriding emotions are that we are devastated to have lost a Champions League final. Penalty shootouts are a lottery. You either win them or lose them, and tonight we were on the losing end.
“That doesn’t define us. This season, from start to finish – we started in July in Singapore. We’re now coming up to July again, and our season has just finished. Our 63rd game in all competitions. We are proud of each other,” Rice said.
“To get the Premier League over the line is a dream come true. To do this tonight would’ve been extra special. But that’s football. Look, we move on.
“They took so many years to win their first Champions League. That’s the way it is. Tonight we lost, but we’re going to try to take those emotions and feelings to go on and try to win this competition in the future.
“Seeing that trophy and seeing them lift it, that’s what we want. My first season at Arsenal, we finished in the quarter-finals. My second season we lost in the semifinals. Tonight we lost in the final. It’s the same with the Premier League. It was three years of coming second to now win one is incredible,” the midfielder added.
“Now, to have the feeling of losing the Champions League final, I want to come back and lift that trophy. I’m sure we’ll be back. This club has exciting times coming. We stick together and keep fighting.”
