CL final. No impactors this time

Our second bite at the biggest cherry in club football has ended in a penalty heartbreak.

Empty. Just a total void. That’s the only way to describe the feeling after that Champions League final. Part of it is the gut-wrenching loss, but it’s also the realization that the season is done. There’s no “next Saturday” to use as a coping mechanism. But let’s take it from the top.

Despite all the pre-match chatter about the XI, Arteta went with what I expected. The only tweak was Hincapie getting the nod over Calafiori. The boss clearly prioritized a specialist 1-v-1 defender over a ball-playing build-up type, and you can’t say he got it wrong. As the game unfolded, Hincapie’s defensive grit was exactly what the doctor ordered.

Rice’s opening hoof was a bit of a weird one. Just launched it high into the PSG half. Even if the plan was for Havertz to win the second ball and spark something, it felt a bit desperate and random. To see us doing the same thing 90 minutes later was properly bizarre.

The cagey start was classic Champions League final stuff. Both sides playing low-risk, low-margin football—standard procedure when the stakes are this massive (and not only when Arsenal is playing). PSG showed some serious fluidity in their build-up, though.

One minute they’re in their nominal spots, the next Mendes is marauding from left-back into central midfield, Dembele is out wide, and Kvara is floating in the 10. Seconds later, they’ve rotated again - Mendes now at left winger, Kvara at nine and Dembele roaming somewhere around. It was a constant merry-go-round designed to drag our boys out of position and open up channels for their pace merchants, but the Arsenal shape remained rock solid.

Then, out of nowhere, lightning struck. 35 meters out, Hakimi tries to clear but wallops it straight into Trossard. The deflection looped perfectly behind the PSG line for Havertz to chase. He was the only one switched on, giving him a massive head start that he used to his advantage. He drove into the box, and while it looked like he was waiting too long looking for support, Kai did the exact thing the player should do, when they come at the goalkeeper from a narrow angle. He lashed a thunderbolt above the keeper’s head that is really diifcult to react to—an absolute screamer.

That’s a tough finish to pull off because you have to be so precise. Most players would try to go across the keeper, but from that angle, the goalie has the bottom corners covered. £60 million down the drain, Kai Havertz scores again in a Champions League final! I couldn’t believe what I was seeing!

But it was a blessing and a curse at the same time. Scoring that early meant PSG had ages to turn up the heat, and Enrique had plenty of time to tweak his tactics and let the “grey cardinals” pull the strings from the sidelines.

Inevitably, the nerves kicked in. We couldn’t string two passes together and started hoofing it clear at every opportunity. PSG were still a bit wary of our threat on the break. There was that nervy moment when the ball clipped Saka’s arm in the box after a corner. Usually, that’s not a pen since it came off his own body, but you have to be careful with a handball. Handball is a type of rule that is not clearly defined and is left open for interpretation. “Clear and obvious error”, “denying a clear scoring opportunity”, “arm in a natural position” - all these terms are left for the referee to decide on the spot.

As expected, we dropped into a compact block with possession hovering around the 20% mark. In the big moments, you lean on what you’re good at, and this Arsenal side is world-class at being compact out of possession. Let’s be honest, anyone expecting us to dominate the ball in that situation was being naive.

However, the ability to self-organize into a compact defense and close all channels for the opponent is only one part of the successful game plan. The second part is to have ways to create counter threat, a way to keep the opponent honest so they don’t just camp on the edge of your box and throw the kitchen sink at you.

And that’s where we failed. We’ve struggled with this against top-tier technical sides all season, including the Carabao final. We had zero runners in the front four. Arteta picked players for their pressing and ball control, but none of them are natural counter-attackers. In our defensive 4-4-2, guys, the wingers are deep. Since neither Trossard nor Saka are true burners, they aren’t efficient on the break. The only two players that have the flexibility to move around and organize a counter are the front two: Havertz and Odegaard.

Havertz did alright as a target for Raya’s long balls, but he’s not a ball carrier. Kai is a link-up man; he needs others to run off him, but he won’t lead the counter. Odegaard, for all his brilliance, is a passer and a presser, not a runner or carrier. You rarely see him carrying the ball 40 yards. That run against West Ham that secured our only goal was a rare exception for the skipper lately.

Enrique clearly did his homework too. He knew we play through the wings, so every time Trossard or Saka got the ball, they were swarmed by two men - one of the midfielders would join the wing back in the attempts to circle down our winger. He knew we weren’t a threat through the middle, so he left that area light and focused on nullifying our wide men.

You can see the red circles in the image where they’ve doubled up on our wingers. That picture also shows the start of that massive run by Myles Lewis-Skelly. PSG weren’t ready for anyone driving through the middle, which is why Myles got so far. But if he did that more often, it would leave Rice totally isolated against a lethal PSG transition. We desperately needed a number 10 or a pair of 8s to be able to drive through the heart of them.

We had a golden chance to go two up when a slick move between Saka, Odegaard, and Havertz found the German in space again. He had to bury it, but a heavy touch allowed the defender to eat up the ground and block the shot. What might have been... but I can’t slag off the man who’d already put us ahead.

Even while trailing, PSG spent half the match rolling around. Their keeper took five minutes of “treatment” for a nothing collision. Mendes was “injured” in our box for two minutes but made a miraculous recovery the second the ball went out. It clearly rattled the ref, who started ignoring blatant fouls just to keep the game moving. Ending the first half right as we were about to take a corner was a clear sign he wasn’t tolerating any more time-wasting.

At the break, many fans knew a yellow for time wasting was coming at the first opportunity. Sure enough, in the 46th minute, Mosquera got booked for a delayed throw-in. I understand that players can miss such signs caught up in the heat of the game, but I hoped somebody in the coaching staff would warn the lads about the ref’s temperament during the halftime talk. If Mosquera had the message loud and clear, he doesn’t get booked that early. At the same time, keeping focus in a final with all that noise is easier said than done.

Arteta was facing a tough decision at half time. We needed pace—namely Martinelli or Gyokeres. But bringing both on risked losing all our technical controlling ability. Havertz was the only one winning Raya’s long balls. I reckoned if it stayed 1-0, we’d see Martinelli early with Kai staying until late on to provide the muscle.

Our defenders, specifically Gabriel and Hincapie, were putting in some heroic shifts with goal-saving tackles, but, in general, PSG looked ideas-free. Unfortunately, Luis Enrique had the interval to reset. As it happened, it wasn’t a tactical masterclass that changed the game, it was the man with the whistle.

After booking Mosquera, the ref let PSG get away with murder on our counters, yet absurdly booked Saka for simply winning the ball first. Both our players on the right were now on yellows—it was starting to look very dodgy indeed.

I am not sure whether the referee was set on specifically making PSG win, but what I am sure about is that he was given an instruction to not let the game finish 0-0 and not have the second half full of small breaks. There is too much money in this sport and UEFA needs the drama for the viewers. Handing PSG free-kicks on the edge of the box was one thing, but it felt inevitable that any contact in our area was going to be a penalty.

And there it came. Kvaratskhelia skipped past Mosquera, Christian jumped with a tackle, and the ref couldn’t wait to point to the spot. There was contact, so VAR was never going to overturn it. The PSG lot were screaming for a second yellow, but their request was denied. If you think about it, the best outcome for keeping the intrigue alive would be to make a 1-1 draw, but keep all the players on the pitch.

This was a last warning to Arteta to sub out Mosquera, because we were on the brink of a red card. Arteta hooked him for Timber and brought on Gyokeres for the skipper. While first it took me by surprise, the decision made sense. Our midfield was not able to dominate and keep the ball against a more technically skilled and fluid PSG midfield, Havertz was really needed as a target, because Raya was sending long balls again and again. Arteta ditched the build-up play for a long-ball outlet, the runner and attack through the wings. In the way the game developed, it was a sensible gamble.

By the 80th minute, everyone (including us and PSG) was running on empty. The collective movement was gone. Saliba made a proper howler in the middle of the pitch, letting Kvara through one-on-one. I thought that was curtains, but the Georgian had no legs left, and Myles managed to get back to produce a vital block.

That’s all an achievement of a wonderful UEFA decision to start the game at 18:00 in 30-degree heat. The “younger fans engagement” excuse is rubbish—a 20:00 or even 19:00 kick-off would have been much better for the players’ welfare. The quality of the game suffered because of it.

Arteta recognized this tendency and threw on Martinelli and Madueke. Usually, I’d be fuming at that kind of change, but this was a bet that a player with explosive speed who can just carry the ball by himself is the best way to create a chance in such circumstances. And, again, I can see the logic behind this - fresh Barcola was causing havoc for them. In addition, our original wingers just hadn’t done enough.

Saka had a few openings after it went to 1-1, but he couldn’t create any measurable threat. Look, I love the lad, but if he wants to be called best in business and gets offended when he’s not mentioned in such context, he needs to go one level higher. And that level is unpredictability - going right, going left, shooting, crossing, a cutting pass - the defenders shouldn’t really know what to expect. He was too predictable yesterday —always cutting inside on the left. The PSG defenders were definitely prepared for that. He tried to win it on his own, but you need more variety in movement at this level.

I hoped that Martinelli and Madueke would hit the ground running, giving the open field, but they got only one chance before the main time ran out - a defender slipped, Martinelli picked the ball up, but then fluffed the pass completely. It’s always baffling when fresh subs can’t play a simple ball in the final third.

Barcola couldn’t convert his 2 dangerous runs into the shots on target and we rode our luck when Vitinha dragged a shot 20 centimeters high in the 93rd minute—that would have been game over. Arteta’s final two subs again made a lot of sense - Zubimendi and Eze to freshen up the center, to try and carry the ball through the middle before finding one of our legendary front three - Martinelli, Gyokeres and Madueke.

By the end, Arteta had refreshed all the “running” positions. Only Rice, the everlasting Warrior, and Hincapie played the full 120, and poor Hincapie finished with a knacked hamstring. I expected Eze and the rest to really test a leg-heavy PSG defense, but it just didn’t happen.

Madueke was the only one showing any spark, supported by Timber (who, to be fair, was immense for someone coming straight after being two months out). In one of his carry attempts, Madueke got into the box, ahead of Mendes and was brought to the ground. Stone-wall penalty. The ref ignored it, and the lads lost their heads. Even Rice was fuming and picked up a booking—not what you expect from your most experienced head.

Of course, VAR didn’t overturn it, because it should have been a “clear error” and they would always fall back on Madueke and Mendes holding each other earlier in the episode. There is nothing else Madueke could do if he was running past a defender in the box - he should have put his body between the ball and the defender. And after Mendes had practically fallen on him he couldn’t stay on his feet. If you think again, what outcome would be the best for the massive viewership - final decided on a single penalty call or 1-1 followed by a nerve-wrecking penalty shootout, the answer is obvious.

We should have scored the goal without referee involvement, but the rest of our subs were practically silent and that was a big frustration. I expected much more from Eze, the man of the moments, Martinelli and Zubimendi could also have been more active. Arteta often called the player coming from the bench this season “impactors”, but in this final, they didn’t impact the game, they were simply subs.

The hope and Arteta’s decision was to turn this into our favour by fresh legs and using our deeper squad, but nobody did step up properly. I was happy that he didn’t leave players on the pitch based on the penalty shooters, because I hate when our games are decided on penalties. This is a lottery for the calmest, most confident players and we aren’t exactly known for our cool heads under the lights.

All that “us wanting it more” talk by Arteta and the lads is great for tracking back, but it’s a killer for penalties. It just adds more pressure and tension. The more you want it, the more likely you are to tighten up when it matters most.

On pure composure, my list would have been Gyokeres, Rice, Eze, pastor Timber, and Zubimendi/Martinelli/Saliba contending for that fifth spot. Madueke, Gabriel and Hincapie would be nowhere near that list, I would trust Raya before them, simply because of the ice veins. If you think about it, he probably launched around 50 long crosses and he couldn’t have failed a single one. I am always impressed by the keeper’s ability to do it over and over again.

Arteta’s choice was slightly different. Gyokeres buried the first shot. Eze did that stupid stutter without a decision where to shoot and missed the target. Raya kept us alive with a brilliant save (which I couldn’t believe at first). Rice, despite running 120 minutes, was clinical. Martinelli, who I had my doubts about, actually took the best pen of the lot.

Apart from the save, Raya was telegraphing his moves. In a couple of shots he jumped so early that the opponent could notice it and send the ball in the opposite direction. But you can’t knock him if he keeps one out, I suppose.

Then Gabriel stepped up for the fifth. I told my wife right then—he’s missing this. I like Gabriel, he is a committed player, but the penalty in the Champions League final is about one thing - staying completely calm under pressure. Every Arsenal fan knows that Gabriel wears his heart on his sleeve,but he is definitely not the calmest. The last shot from five requires special selection. The player can’t hope that his keeper would save or that the opponent would miss, all the way from the central circle to the spot that player would be thinking that it is over if he doesn’t score his shot, so this is all about conditioning yourself mentally.

This was the only obvious mistake Arteta made at this final. I understand that some players might have refused to go first. I get that Gabriel wanted the responsibility, but the manager has all the authority to be the one to say “no.” I’d have picked Saliba, Timber, or Raya for that shot over Gabriel. I watched our shootout against Palace and both defenders delivered a perfect pen. Even if Gabriel was training for that - he should have gone second or third.

I heard a lot about admiring him for taking this responsibility and that he shouldn’t be criticized for his miss. Sorry, but that’s not how responsibility works. You don’t just say “I will do it”, otherwise it would be really easy. You take the responsibility, you have to deliver. If you don’t deliver, you sign yourself up for all the criticism that comes with it.

I would sign up Rice and Gyokeres as the first and last takers and let everybody else take the middle spots. Arteta probably admired Gabriel’s courage, but there was too much on the line yesterday. I don’t think PSG had too many composed players so the longer we stayed in the shootout, the more nervous they would get as well. The worst part? Their keeper didn’t even have to make a spectacular save - neither in normal time, nor in the shootout. We beat ourselves.

The players were gutted - the ones who missed, but also our keeper, who’s usually more resilient. The devastating moment brought the moment of human kindness - from Marquinhos - when his whole team was running around celebrating, he stopped to hug Big Gabi, before any of Arsenal teammates reached him. It was only later when Gabi Martinelli, and then Merino, Odegaard and Saka came up to console him. I know they are mates from Brazilian national team, but doing in first moments of trophy celebration earns a special respect for me.

Raya had an outstanding game, making a couple of crucial clearances and a penalty save. The defensive block—Timber, Gabriel, Hincapie, Rice, and Myles—was superb. Mosquera, despite earning a penalty, was really good given the opponents and the occasion. Having a flawless game was always going to be a huge ask for a young defender playing out of position. Saliba, in contrast, made at least three serious errors - one of which could have easily cost us a goal. He was the only player from our backline who played below his abilities in my opinion.

However, our attacking threat was quite bland - neither starters nor subs couldn’t really impact this final. The biggest disappointment was Eze, especially considering this stupid penalty technique that already cost him two more missed penalties before that. Stuttering works only against keepers who didn’t practice it before - otherwise it puts pressure back on the striker to not miss from a standing position. With all his shooting technique Eze should be simply sending a ball in the corner with a force that makes it almost unreachable for the keeper.

Knowing how uninspiring Eze’s performance would turn out, subbing on Merino would be a much better choice. Pretty sure Mikel would have buried his penalty. To be fair, the game required a ball carrier and it could have been a perfect opportunity for Dowman, but I don’t suggest putting a 16-year old in the final of the biggest competition in Europe. Bringing up explosive wingers and players that can carry the ball through the center should be the main area we should work on in the transfer window.

I don’t really like all this coping “we’ll win it next year” narrative. My belief is that if the opportunity arises, you should try and grab it with both your hands, because you don’t know what the future holds - for your team and for your opponents. There are at least 5 teams each year that can win this competition and whoever gets into the final might be decided by narrow margins, just like this final was. We had a great chance yesterday and we didn’t take it.

On the bright side, we stood toe-to-toe with the most explosive team in Europe. And after seeing how close we were, the owners will probably keep investing into the team! We’re still Premier League champions, and that’s a massive achievement. Best season in England, second best in Europe. Even if it hurts a bit right now, we can only be proud of the boys! Last, but not least, we have another Rice classics to hold on to.