{"id":13556,"date":"2026-05-30T22:02:12","date_gmt":"2026-05-30T21:02:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/?p=13556"},"modified":"2026-06-03T09:48:15","modified_gmt":"2026-06-03T08:48:15","slug":"heartbreak-from-the-penalty-spot-as-psg-claim-a-shootout-win","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/?p=13556","title":{"rendered":"Heartbreak from the penalty spot as PSG claim a shootout win"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"getty embed image\" style=\"background-color:#fff;display:inline-block;font-family:Roboto,sans-serif;color:#a7a7a7;font-size:11px;width:100%;max-width:396px;\"><div style=\"padding:0;margin:0;text-align:left;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/2278963153\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"color:#a7a7a7;text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal !important;border:none;display:inline-block;\" rel=\"noopener\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div><div style=\"overflow:hidden;position:relative;height:0;padding:150% 0 0 0;width:100%;\"><iframe src=\"\/\/embed.gettyimages.com\/embed\/2278963153?et=mUIAasorQcRgtYLirm0anA&amp;tld=com&amp;sig=tNL5-6IXl4oKJXths5x9uKBU9_4jwZF2FEoE_rKba54=&amp;caption=true&amp;ver=1\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" width=\"396\" height=\"594\" style=\"display:inline-block;position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;margin:0;\"><\/iframe><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>In strength-sapping heat and unbearable tension Arsenal lost the second part of what would have been a wonderful double in a penalty shootout in Budapest tonight. The Champions League slipped from our grasp in the cruellest possible way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What made the loss so cruel was that the crucial penalty was missed by one of the great heroes of the season, Gabriel. Eberechi Eze had earlier hooked a penalty wide but David Raya made a brilliant stop to foil Mendes from the next penalty. Gy\u00f6keres, Rice and Martinelli converted their penalties brilliantly but ultimately Arsenal lost their third penalty shootout in a European&nbsp;final. Arsenal had executed Arteta\u2019s game plan brilliantly with huge efficiency, dedication and courage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kai Havertz gave Arsenal a wonderful start with a sensational goal in the 6th minute and they remained ahead until deep into the second half when Mosquera, who had an excellent game against Kvaratkskelia, made his only mistake mistiming a sliding challenge on the Georgian winger. Nevertheless Arsenal deserve enormous credit for taking a hugely talented PSG side to penalties and making&nbsp;a side who have been scoring for fun in Europe against all-comers look desperate and frustrated at times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Arteta had a detailed idea of how to neutralise PSG and this began with his team selection. He didn\u2019t risk Jurrien Timber at right back, preferring Mosquera with the Dutchman able to make the bench (and make a significant contribution from an hour into the game). MLS took the starting&nbsp;midfield role ahead of Zubimendi and Havertz started upfront ahead of Gyokeres with the hope that he could prove to be a match winner in a Champions League Final. PSG\u2019s fitness&nbsp;doubts all resolved with Hakimi, Mendes and Dembele starting. They began with the same ten outfield players who started in the Final last year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The starting atmosphere was incredible and emotional. Our second Champions League final at the end of a very special season was such an amazing way to climax nine incredible months, and the Arsenal fans who had poured into Budapest, many without tickets, produced a wave of noise and emotion in the hours leading up to the game and&nbsp;as the game began.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Just before the opening ceremony the camera picked out Arsene Wenger, a man who has done so much to build the foundation of the modern Arsenal. A penny for his thoughts. Did he hark back to Paris in 2006?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Killers did a set&nbsp;climaxing with the iconic Mr. Brightside, they were the smartest looking band I\u2019ve ever seen immaculately attired in evening dress and another reminder if any were needed that this was not an ordinary football&nbsp;match.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Arsenal fans were very much in the majority &#8211; it looked as if we covered 75% of the ground. Thierry Henry helped to put the Cup with Big Ears in place and our club was ready to start the biggest match of their lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It started tumultuously. After gaining a free kick from the kickoff and then seeing PSG unsurprisingly dominating possession,&nbsp;in the 6th minute Havertz initiated a move with deft control and as it moved left,&nbsp;Trossard blocked a clearance, the ball rebounded into space, and Havertz was in behind the PSG defence. He moved the ball on, looked for support and decided to shoot. His shot cascaded past Safonov into the roof of the net, a phenomenal strike and an incredible start for Arsenal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Arsenal 1 PSG 0 &#8211; Havertz 6<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If your game plan involved scoring first and drawing PSG on,&nbsp;that represented a perfect start. PSG dominated possession but we defended the box brilliantly. Gabriel and Saliba both made a number of superb clearances and blocks and Rice and MLS looked to try and get us forward when we could get possession.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The best two moves of the first half came from Arsenal. Havertz slid in Saka whose excellent low cross was almost reached by Trossard but Safonov made a superb block which cost him a painful bang on the head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>PSG were struggling to make chances despite overwhelming possession and were confined to long distance shots. Both Dembele and Doue blazed over in frustration. Just before half time Havertz combined superbly with Trossard and saw Marquinhos block his goalbound shot. The idea that we were going to dominate from set pieces didn\u2019t materialise. We obtained our first corner on the stroke of halftime and the referee promptly blew to signify the interval!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Half-time Arsenal 1 PSG 0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Little changed at the start of the second half although Mosquera picked up the first yellow card of the second half for timewasting. It left him very vulnerable, having to mark one of the finest attacking players in the world in Kvaratskelia. He stuck to the task manfully and the Arsenal defence kept its shape superbly and was clearly starting to frustrate the French champions. Eventually the Georgian played a brilliant give and go and was brought down by Mosquera. I think the penalty award was correct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Arsenal 1 PSG 1 &#8211; Dembele penalty 64<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Arsenal responded by bringing on Gy\u00f6keres and Timber for \u00d8degaard and Mosquera. Arsenal were not able to retain the ball well enough despite a monumental performance by Havertz who moved into midfield. We needed better offensive possession to reduce the pressure on our defence. Nevertheless we didn\u2019t lose composure or shape and stayed in the game although the game became increasingly stretched as players tired. We created very little, and Kvaratskelia, their substitute Barcola, and Vitinha put in dangerous efforts. Arsenal took off Saka who had put in a tremendous defensive shift and Trossard and replaced them with Martinelli and Madueke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>PSG had to take off an exhausted Kvaratskelia and Dembele as we approached extra time. Arsenal were threatening less but a long throw from Rice caused chaos in the PSG defence but we could not take advantage. Unfortunately Gy\u00f6keres couldn\u2019t replicate the impact that Havertz had produced and was unable to hold the ball up&nbsp; and the game moved into extra time but not before Barcola hit the post in the last minute of normal time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>End of normal time &#8211; Arsenal 1 PSG 1<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Arsenal brought on Eze for Havertz and extra time was more even though the exhaustion was coursing through both sides. In the 102nd minute Madueke raced outside Mendes and appeared to be bowled over. It was every bit as much a penalty as the one we gained in Leverkusen. It did not appear to attract much attention from VAR even though Rice was livid and was booked for his protests. Zubimendi came on for MLS who had been excellent in such a challenging situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One telling statistic that flashed up in extra time was that PSG\u2019s passing accuracy was 92% as opposed to Arsenal\u2019s 72%. It told a story that we had not been able to retain possession against such an outstanding opponent but our defensive discipline and spirit were wonderful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Losing in such a heartbreaking and narrow way is a sad note on which to conclude the season but let us not forget what a wonderful season this has been. Tonight I was so proud of our team, our coaches and our fans who provided wonderful support. We have moved into the executive suite of international club&nbsp;football and are now a powerhouse in England and Europe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It seems invidious to pick out heroes from tonight but I thought the two centre backs were immense, Hincapi\u00e9, though crippled with cramp, was magnificent and Declan Rice showed the stature of a special leader. Arsenal will come again but this loss should not tarnish our parade and celebrations tomorrow in any way. This was a monumental effort and caps a great season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We will reflect on the season over the next few weeks but we can all be very proud Arsenal fans tonight. Mikel Arteta and Declan Rice gave dignified interviews biting back their disappointment but vowing to bounce back stronger. Arteta has engineered a&nbsp;progressive improvement in our performances season-on-season and we are now incredibly well placed. A loss on penalties to an outstanding PSG side should not diminish our admiration for what has been achieved.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Embed from Getty Images In strength-sapping heat and unbearable tension Arsenal lost the second part of what would have been a wonderful double in a penalty shootout in Budapest tonight. The Champions League slipped from our grasp in the cruellest possible way. What made the loss so cruel was that the crucial penalty was missed [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[24,6],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13556"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=13556"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13556\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13575,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13556\/revisions\/13575"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=13556"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=13556"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=13556"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}