Arsenal legend Arsène Wenger has reportedly criticized Eberechi Eze following the midfielder’s costly penalty miss during Arsenal’s heartbreaking UEFA Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday night.
The Gunners were left devastated after suffering a 4-3 penalty shootout loss to PSG in Budapest following a dramatic 1-1 draw after extra time. Arsenal had looked set to make history after taking an early lead through Kai Havertz, but PSG fought their way back into the contest and eventually held their nerve from the penalty spot to retain their European crown.
One of the defining moments of the night came during the shootout when Eze stepped up for Arsenal but sent his effort wide of the post. The miss immediately placed pressure on the rest of Arsenal’s penalty takers and handed the psychological advantage to PSG. Although David Raya later produced a save to keep Arsenal alive, the damage had already been done as Gabriel Magalhães eventually missed the decisive penalty that sealed PSG’s victory.
According to reports emerging after the final, Wenger was unhappy with the manner in which Eze approached his penalty. The former Arsenal manager is believed to have questioned the midfielder’s decision to use a stuttering run-up in such a high-pressure moment, suggesting that simplicity and conviction are often the most important qualities when taking penalties in major finals.
Wenger, who spent more than two decades managing Arsenal and guided the club to countless domestic successes, has always emphasized mental strength and composure in decisive matches. The Frenchman reportedly felt that Arsenal had done enough to remain competitive throughout the contest and that small moments ultimately determined the outcome.
The former manager is said to have argued that penalty shootouts are often won by players who fully commit to their chosen corner and execute with confidence. While acknowledging that misses are part of football, Wenger allegedly viewed Eze’s attempt as a missed opportunity at a crucial stage of the shootout.
The criticism has already sparked debate among supporters and pundits. Some fans agree with Wenger’s assessment, arguing that the pressure of a Champions League final requires a more direct approach from the penalty spot. Others have defended Eze, pointing out that many world-class players have failed from twelve yards in major finals and that the midfielder showed courage simply by volunteering to take one of Arsenal’s penalties.
Eze had otherwise played an important role in Arsenal’s journey to the final and was among the players trusted by Mikel Arteta in one of the biggest matches in the club’s modern history. His miss will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the key moments of the evening, but many supporters have insisted that the defeat cannot be blamed on a single player.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta refused to single out any individual after the match, instead praising the effort and commitment shown by his squad throughout the campaign. The Spaniard described the defeat as painful but urged his players to use the disappointment as motivation moving forward.
Declan Rice also backed his teammates in the aftermath of the defeat, insisting that Arsenal win and lose together. The England midfielder stressed that Eze and Gabriel should not carry the burden alone, reminding supporters that both players played major roles in helping Arsenal reach the final in the first place.
For Wenger, the result will bring back memories of Arsenal’s long pursuit of Champions League glory. Despite transforming the club into one of Europe’s elite sides during his reign, the famous trophy always remained just out of reach. Seeing Arsenal fall short once again on the biggest stage will have been a painful sight for one of the most influential figures in the club’s history.
As the dust settles on another dramatic Champions League final, attention will now turn to how Arsenal respond. The pain of defeat will linger for some time, particularly for Eze and Gabriel, whose missed penalties proved decisive. Yet within the club there remains a belief that this young squad can return stronger and challenge again next season.
Whether Wenger’s criticism proves justified or not, one thing is certain: Arsenal’s narrow defeat to PSG will be remembered as one of the most agonizing nights in the club’s history, and the discussion surrounding Eze’s penalty miss is unlikely to fade anytime soon.