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Mikel Arteta couldn\u2019t understand why the incident involving Nuno Mendes and Noni Madueke didn\u2019t result in Arsenal being awarded what could and probably would have been a decisive penalty in the Champions League final defeat to PSG.<\/p>\n
Arsenal<\/strong> fell to PSG in the penalty shoot-out, though in Arteta\u2019s mind, it was the penalty in normal time and another that wasn\u2019t given that are the real talking points from Budapest.<\/p>\n Arsenal\u2019s rearguard across the entire 120-plus minutes were only breached from the penalty spot. Cristhian Mosquera bundled over Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in the box to tee up Ousmane Dembele to cancel out Kai Havertz\u2019s opener during regular time.<\/p>\n However, the Gunners and Arteta<\/strong> believed they should have been awarded a penalty of their own when substitute Madueke took a tumble under pressure from Mendes in the first period of extra time. The incident can be viewed here<\/em>.<\/p>\n Speaking to TNT Sports<\/em> post-match, Arteta couldn\u2019t wrap his head around why different decisions were made for what he perceived to be two very similar incidents.<\/p>\n He bemoaned: \u201cI watch it back and (Mendes on Madueke) could easily be a penalty. Especially when we see the penalty they gave me this year in the competition.<\/p>\n \u201cThis season, the referee made a decision, and he made a different one with Cristhian Mosquera and that is an important one.\u201d<\/p>\n During his post-match press conference, Arteta again took umbrage at the perceived difference in officiating.<\/p>\n He said<\/em>: \u201cWhen something had to go our way, especially in the boxes with the penalty that was given against Mosquera and then no penalty to Madueke, those didn\u2019t go for us.\u201d<\/p>\n Speaking about the game in general, the Spaniard told TNT Sports<\/em>:\u00a0\u201cYes, it is very tough to accept when you are so consistent in the competition all the way to the final and in the end you lose the trophy on penalty kicks, so it is a difficult one.\u201d<\/p>\n He later added: \u201cWe haven\u2019t done it for 22 years (reached the Champions League final), so imagine the second time in our history that we have done it, and we need to recognise the season we had, but at the moment nobody is going to take the pain away from you.\u201d<\/p>\n DON\u2019T MISS:<\/strong><\/em> French reporter makes \u2018inevitable\u2019 Arsenal claim after Champions League heartbreak<\/strong><\/p>\n On PSG, who have now gone back-to-back in the UCL, Arteta said: \u201cThey are a superb team and I congratulate them. Individual quality they have, the manner they are coached, they are a top, top team.<\/p>\n \u201cYou have to go through the emotions and if you\u2019re in pain, then go through the pain.<\/p>\n \u201cThink you could do something else, then learn from it. Reflect on that and show the ambition that we want to have again.\u201d<\/p>\n On what message he has for his players, Arteta concluded: \u201cThat I am so proud of them, with this season we have had under the circumstances. Internally, we know what we have been through.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is just a privilege to manage this group of players and this team the way they carry this badge and how much they put into it. We got a big one (Premier League) and missed out on the biggest one.\u201d<\/p>\n READ NEXT:<\/strong> <\/em>Luis Enrique reacts honestly to Arsenal tactics after PSG win back-to-back Champions Leagues<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/div>\nMikel Arteta angered by non-awarding of penalty<\/strong><\/h2>\n