Gary Lineker has launched a foul-mouthed rant after Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Magalhaes missed penalties during Arsenal's Champions League final shootout defeat to Paris Saint-Germain. Following a 1-1 draw after extra-time, Arsenal's fate in the showpiece Budapest final was decided by a penalty shootout. Although David Raya made a save to keep out Nuno Mendes' spot-kick, Eze and Gabriel both missed from 12 yards as PSG won 4-3 on penalties.
Eze has since drawn criticism for attempting a stutter run-up before firing his effort wide. Gabriel then took Arsenal's fifth spot-kick but blazed his attempt over the bar. Viktor Gyokeres, Declan Rice and Gabriel Martinelli scored for the Gunners. Delivering his reaction, Lineker appeared to jump to their defence, telling the Rest Is Football: 'Someone's always got to miss. I will say, as I always say - give them credit for being prepared to put themselves on the line under severe pressure.'
Lineker added: 'I see Eberechi Eze has got a bit of stick because of his stuttering [run-up] and he's missed a couple before like that. But I will also say that if he'd have scored, nobody would have uttered a f****** word. Some of the penalty takers Arsenal would probably want to take them - I can think immediately of Saka - were not on the pitch, so was [Gabriel] originally planned to be number five? Possibly not. Again, if he'd have scored, no-one would have... it's so easy after the event!'
Former Manchester City full-back Micah Richards offered a different view, saying Gabriel looked nervous and believes Noni Madueke should have taken a spot-kick instead. Richards said: 'When Gabriel stepped up though... I don't want to say he looked nervous... but I was wondering what technique he was going to use... It was almost like he just wanted to get it over and done with. I would have liked to see Madueke take one. You know, a technician.'
The result denied Arsenal the chance to win their first-ever Champions League title, though the Gunners still celebrated on Sunday with an open top bus parade for winning the Premier League last month.
