Yesterday’s refereeing was one of the best I’ve seen in a long time.
For the first 15 minutes, the ref fell for Arsenal’s shenanigans: blowing a foul for every slight fall and every little touch. Then, all of a sudden, he clocked their dirty antics and took complete control of the game.
He stopped buying their silly theatrics: Mosquera time wasting, Havertz falling at every slight touch, Saka wasting time for the corner, Arteta touchline tantrums, Madueke diving. I can go on and on
Arsenal have become so used to getting away with this cunning stuff from Premier League refs that they seemed genuinely shocked when it didn’t work.
I’m glad the referee refused to be intimidated and stood his ground. That’s how you referee a final.
You might con your way to a Premier League title, but you can’t do it in the UCL. Either you play like real men or go home
Arsenal have set the record for the lowest possession percentage for a team playing in a Champions League final (since records began in 2003-04).
The previous lowest record was also Arsenal, set in the 2006 Champions League final, which they played 72 minutes with 10 men.
Arsenal have finally played in a game this season where the referee wasn't biased towards them (aside from the blatant Saka handball) and they think they're being cheated.
That’s a penalty, the referee has been so bias since he blew the halftime whistle before Arsenal’s corner.
Every 50/50 ball, he blows in PSG’s advantage.
Declan Rice chased the referee all around the pitch shouting at him. If this was a Portuguese midfielder, English media would label him as a moaner. For Rice though, it’s passion personified.
Best club competition in the World and the referee has zero interest in being fair, what’s the point?
Blowing HT during a corner, giving every 50/50 in PSG favour, ignoring the blatant pen on Noni.
Disgusting.
No shots on goal for two hours after the fifth minute, averaged about two passes a minute, one of the most shameful cowardly performances ever seen in a Champions League final. Played for penalties and got what they deserved.
@henrywinter Wasn’t cruel at all. Arsenal got an early lead via a fortuitous rebound off Trossards arm and sat and refused to do anything for the next 114 minutes. Pathetic football, beaten by the far superior side
24.7% - Arsenal’s possession average (24.7%) was the lowest by a team in a UEFA Champions League final on record (since 2003-04), as well as their lowest in any match under Mikel Arteta where they had 11 men on the pitch throughout. Reactive.