Arsenal participant scores vs PSG: 4/10 takes horrible penalty as Champions League ultimate misplaced

All of Arsenal’s player ratings versus Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final as Mikel Arteta’s Gunners failed to win their first ever European Cup

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Arsenal lost the Champions League final on penalties to Paris Saint-Germain to miss out on an historic double.

Mikel Arteta’s side took the lead after just five minutes at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, when Kai Havertz surged free of the French giants’ defence and blasted the ball past hapless goalkeeper Matvei Safonov, who was beaten too easily at his near post. And the Premier League champions barely gave Luis Enrique’s men a sniff of goal for the rest of the first half.

Arsenal shot stopper David Raya was a bystander in the opening 45 minutes but after the interval, the Gunners had to dig in against the reigning European champions. And when Cristhian Mosquera clumsily brought down Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in the box, Ousmane Dembele equalised from the penalty spot in the 64th minute. Moments later, Kvaratskhelia struck the post.

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Vitinha and Bradley Barcola also wasted golden chances, the latter with the last kick of normal time. In the first half of extra time, Arsenal were denied a penalty when Noni Madueke went down in the box. Declan Rice and Arteta were booked for their protests, but replays showed it was far from a clear decision. However, in the end, penalties would decide the game, which ended 1-1.

Goncalo Ramos dispatched the first penalty with aplomb, giving Raya no chance. Viktor Gyokeres struck his low and hard into the left corner. Desire Doue did the same. Eberechi Eze stuttered in his run-up and hit his penalty well wide. Raya then made a fine save from Nuno Mendes, before Rice converted with confidence.

Achraf Hakimi made no mistake and sent the Arsenal keeper the wrong way. Gabriel Martinelli smashed his in to the right of the goal. Lucas Beraldo took the fifth penalty for PSG and again fooled Raya, who went very early. Gabriel had to score, but he skied it over the bar and Arsenal lost the cup. Here’s how Daily Star Sport rated the Arsenal player performances.

First XI

David Raya – A total bystander for most of the proceedings in the first half, though he did spill one effort just before the interval. It’s hard to envisage him being beaten at his near post if he were between the sticks for PSG. He was powerless to stop PSG’s penalty. 6.

Piero Hincapie – More defensively minded than Calafiori (who had a slight niggle) and it paid off. Made solid tackles, showed strength and defended superbly. 7.

William Saliba – Exudes elegance and strength. Anticipates danger and defended with lionhearted determination. His composure on the ball instils confidence in the defence. 7.

Gabriel – He was outstanding for 120 minutes. Exceptional blocks, remarkable resolve and power. Gave absolutely everything for the cause. But then skied a terrible penalty over the bar. 6.

Cristhian Mosquera – Had the unenviable task of keeping Khvicha Kvaratskhelia quiet, which he did admirably for the first half, where only negative was a harsh yellow card for taking time over a throw-in. But just after the hour, the wing wizard got the better of him and Mosquera brought him down in the box for an obvious penalty, before PSG equalised. Fortunate not to be shown a second yellow card, he was subbed off immediately afterwards. 5.

Declan Rice – Put in a shift, made key interceptions and was consistently reliable. Always gives nothing less than his all. Took his penalty confidently. 8.

Myles Lewis-Skelly – For him to be selected ahead of Zubimendi was a tremendous vote of confidence. His fearless runs, work ethic and tenacity were commendable. 8.

Martin Odegaard – His work rate was impressive. Covered more ground than any other player in the first half. Perhaps ran out of steam and was substituted. 7.

Leandro Trossard – Got the assist for the opening goal with a block and resulting deflected pass. He is Mikel Arteta’s trusted lieutenant in Europe. Puts in a real shift. His control is top-notch. 7.

Bukayo Saka – Booked. Not one of his finest performances but he did provide good support to Mosquera, helping to keep things tight at the back. 6.

Kai Havertz – The man for the big occasion, whose solitary goal won Chelsea the Champions League final against Manchester City in 2021, repeated the trick here when he got the all important opening strike with a fine finish, having raced clear of the PSG defence. He held the ball well, put in a shift but could have bagged another. 8.

Substitutes

Jurrien Timber, for Mosquera (65) – 6

Viktor Gyokeres, for Odegaard, (65) – A great penalty. 7.

Noni Madueke, for Saka, (82) – 6

Gabriel Martinelli, for Trossard (82) – Smashed his penalty home. 7.

Martin Zubimendi, for Lewis-Skelly, (90) – 6.

Eberechi Eze, for Havertz (90) – A terrible penalty. 4.