Former referees have given their verdict on several flash points in the Champions League final between Arsenal and PSG, as match official Daniel Siebert was kept on his toes in a tense encounter in Budapest.

Arsenal took the lead early on in the game when Kai Havertz went through on goal, smashing an effort from close-range into the back of the PSG net.

The Ligue 1 outfit dominated possession and eventually made it count in the second half, when Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was fouled in the box by Cristhian Mosquera, as the referee Daniel Siebert pointed to the spot.

Ousmane Dembele converted the penalty, and with just under 30 minutes to go in regulation time, there were opportunities for both teams to take the win.

Neither team did find that goal before the full-time whistle went, however, sending the match to extra time for the first time in the Champions League final since 2014.

There were controversial decisions made in that additional 30 minutes, but the game stayed at a stalemate until penalties were needed to separate the two teams, with PSG emerging victorious.

After such a tense match that went all the way, former referees have given their thoughts on the key moments of the match.

Ex-Referees On Noni Madueke Penalty

Perhaps the most controversial call from the match referee came in extra time, when Noni Madueke got in a tangle with PSG defender Nuno Mendes.

The winger managed to get in behind the backline, and while the pair grappled, the Arsenal man went to ground, creating some almighty appeals from the Gunners.

Declan Rice was booked for his protests, along with manager Mikel Arteta, but both the referee and the VAR waved away the claims for a spot kick.

While those in the TNT commentary team believe it to be enough for a penalty, former referees are not quite as sure, with Graham Scott among those to back Siebert’s call.

He told The Athletic: “There will be plenty of comments along the line of ‘I’ve seen them given’, and I doubt a VAR would have seen enough to overturn a penalty had one been awarded.

“But ultimately I would rather defend the referee for keeping out of this one than try to build a defence had he succumbed to pressure and pointed to the spot.”

Another former Premier League referee, Mark Halsey, believes that there wasn’t enough for the VAR to overturn the decision when speaking to The Sun.

“Arsenal had a big shout for a penalty in the first half of extra time where Madueke’s gone down under a challenge from PSG’s Mendes,” he said.

“Now, in real time, I thought it was absolutely narrowed on penalty, but when you see the replay, you can see Madueke is holding Mendes’ arm.

“So, not sure how the referee’s seen that, but is it a clearing office error for VAR to get involved? Not in my opinion. The same as had the referee given it, VAR still wouldn’t have got involved because of the clear and obvious error.

“So, it’s one of those, some will say yes, some will say no, so it’s subjective. So that’s why VAR didn’t get involved.”

In the end, the decision didn’t go in Arsenal’s favour, but it wasn’t the only one that Siebert had to make some huge calls on in the Champions League final.

Mark Clattenberg On Arsenal Decisions

Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg has also given his thoughts on some crucial decisions made in the match between Arsenal and PSG.

The first of which was a potential handball shout against Bukayo Saka, as the ball ricocheted from his left hand to his right in the box during the first half.

The match officials and VAR decided against giving a penalty, a decision Clattenburg agrees with, as he told Arsenal Insider: “The ball does touch the arm of Bukayo Saka inside his own penalty area, but it would have been extremely harsh if this was awarded as he tries to play the ball with his leg before touching his chest and then onto his arm, which was close to the body.

“We have seen so many controversial handballs given in this season’s competition, and this always creates doubt when the ball touches the arm or hand.

“I am pleased this one was not awarded, especially when a player is trying to play the ball with his body.”

The second big call then came in the second half around the hour mark, when Mosquera fouled Kvaratskhelia, prompting the match referee to point to the spot.

While there was debate over whether it was a spot kick, there were also questions over whether the Arsenal defender should’ve received a second yellow card.

“The penalty kick awarded to PSG for a challenge by Christhian Mosquera on Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was a correct one by referee Daniel Siebert,” Clattenburg added.

“Any contact on the ball by the defender was after catching the leg of the attacker from behind so the referee was right to award.

“Some will argue that Mosquera should have been issued a second yellow card but not every foul is a yellow card and as the challenge was a careless one, the law states that a yellow card should not be issued for a careless foul.”

In the end, it seems as though Siebert may have got all the big calls right.

Chelsea have immediately poked fun at their London rivals Arsenal on social media with a viral post following the Gunners’ penalty shootout defeat to PSG in the Champions League final.

The Premier League champions took an early lead in the game through Kai Havertz, but they were pulled level by their Ligue 1 counterparts when Ousmane Dembele converted a penalty around the hour mark.

While both teams pushed for a winner, neither could be separated in regulation time nor extra time, meaning penalties would be needed for just the 12th time in the final of the Champions League.

Misses from Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Magalhaes proved costly for Arsenal, as PSG retained the crown as champions of Europe, while the Gunners were mere inches from winning the title for the first time in the club’s history.

That led to some rival fans poking fun at the side for coming so close, yet so far from glory, with Chelsea leading the pack with shots fired on social media.

Chelsea Mock Arsenal Over Champions League Final Loss

Shortly after Arsenal’s defeat in the Champions League final, Chelsea took to social media to have a cheeky dig at the Gunners for their lack of a European title.

The club posted on X and said: “Come and visit London’s Home of Trophies. Book your Stadium Tour at Stamford Bridge now.”

The timing is hardly a coincidence, with the post showing off the Champions League and the Club World Cup, two tournaments that Arsenal are yet to add to their trophy cabinet.

Chelsea’s inclusion of the two stars in the post were also a not-so subtle hint at the Blues sealing two Champions League wins in their history, claiming the title in 2012 and 2021.

It didn’t take long for the post to go viral, with the West London outfit stealing a march on others who were looking to poke fun at Arsenal for their misery.

Tottenham star Richarlison later joined in, posting a video of a child laughing on his Instagram story, before posting a flushed emoji in an indirect shot aimed at his North London rivals.

It also continues an ongoing fued between Gabriel and Richarlison, with the pair often trading digs at each other on social media through the years.

The Gunners may have the last laugh, with their Premier League trophy parade on Sunday, but how they would’ve desperately wanted to add a Champions League trophy into the mix.

Arsenal And Chelsea Trophy Comparison

With Arsenal missing out on an opportunity to add European silverware to their trophy cabinet, Chelsea remain the team ahead when it comes to battling on the continent.

The two teams have varying success through the years when it comes to winning trophies, with more records fairing on the side of the Gunners.

When it comes to the domestic success, Arsenal certainly have a more established history than their rivals, but it is Chelsea who lead in Europe and internationally.

Both have areas they will be looking to build even more success in, having been among England’s most successful clubs in history. It won’t be the first or last time Arsenal and Chelsea will fire shots after a final, or update their trophy count.

Aston Villa are preparing for another season in the Champions League next season, and are ready to trigger the release clause of a Bundesliga star to bolster their squad.

Unai Emery’s side claimed a spot in the top competition in Europe by winning the Europa League final against Freiburg, while they also finished fourth in the Premier League in a fine campaign.

But the club are now preparing for the new season and are anticipating a potential change of goalkeeper being necessary amid question marks over the future of Emiliano Martinez, and a target has been identified.

Aston Villa Open Talks for Nicolas

According to a report by TEAMtalk, Aston Villa have now opened talks with Borussia Moenchengladbach over a deal to sign Moritz Nicolas.

Nicolas, who has been described as ‘exceptional’, enjoyed a phenomenal Bundesliga campaign this season with 13 clean sheets in 34 appearances, more than anyone else except for Borussia Dortmund star Gregor Kobel.

But Villa are anticipating more interest in current number one Martinez, who was heavily linked with a move to Man Utd last summer, and that has seen them begin the process to replace him.

Emery is keen to add a younger, ambitious goalkeeper to the squad to compete with him even if he stays, and Nicolas is considered to be a top target.

The 28-year-old has a £13m release clause in his contract, but Villa are understood to be willing to pay it as they consider him to be worth even more than that with his top-flight experience. It’s also noted that Nicolas is open to making the move to Villa Park, despite interest from elsewhere too.

Aston Villa Planning for Change

Aston Villa have had a terrific campaign this year, and they want to carry that momentum into next season, despite the uncertainty around several members of their first-team squad.

Martinez is one of the first names on their team sheet, and while his exit would be a big blow, it’s something they’re likely to have been preparing for for several transfer windows considering the speculation around his future.

Nicolas would be a top signing considering the fee and his experience in the top-flight, and Villa’s hierarchy are ready to make it happen.