Arteta Protests Arsenal Penalty Denial in Champions League Final

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed strong conviction that his team was denied a crucial penalty during the Champions League final's extra time against PSG. The decisive moment occurred when Arsenal's Noni Madueke went down in the penalty area following a challenge by PSG's Nuno Mendes. Referee Daniel Siebert waved play on, a decision that incensed the Arsenal bench.

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I have seen the situation again, and it can absolutely be judged as a penalty. Especially when we look at the penalties that have been given in this tournament this season.

Arteta, who received a yellow card for his protests, stated after the match that he had reviewed the situation and believed it warranted a penalty, especially considering other penalty decisions made throughout the tournament this season. "I have seen the situation again, and it can absolutely be judged as a penalty," Arteta told TNT Sports. "Especially when we look at the penalties that have been given in this tournament this season."

Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard also commented on the incident, though with more caution. While he hadn't rewatched the play, he felt Madueke was fouled. "From what I've heard, there was contact there, but it's hard to say when I haven't seen it again," Ødegaard told TV 2. He acknowledged the difficulty of such decisions in high-stakes matches and the frustration of being so close to victory.

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I have not seen it again, but for me it looks like he is taken. From what I have heard there is contact there, but it is hard to say when I haven't seen it again.

Despite the controversial call, Ødegaard maintained that the referees were not the reason for Arsenal's loss. "No, I don't think so. It's not about the referee, it's about the teams on the pitch. In the end, they did more than us, and then there's not much more to say about it," the Norwegian stated. PSG ultimately won the Champions League final on penalties after the match ended 1-1 in regular time and remained goalless through extra time.

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No, I don't think so. It's not about the referee, it's about the teams on the pitch. In the end, they did more than us, and then there's not much more to say about it.