Arsenal's defence crumbled at the expected weak point, and their most dangerous weapon failed to make an impact against PSG

Things couldn't have gone better for Arsenal. After Kai Havertz's early goal, the Londoners focused on what they do best: defending. Paris Saint-Germain circulated the ball around the visitors' penalty area, yet they could not penetrate Arsenal's compact 4-4-2 rearguard. The Gunners cleared every cross, tackle and header out of the box, while long-range efforts sailed over the bar.

For 62 minutes, Europe's best defence neutralised Europe's best attack. Arsenal achieved the seemingly impossible, shutting out the three formidable Parisian strikers—Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia—completely. In Munich, observers were left asking, "How on earth is that possible?" After all, PSG had scored six goals in the spectacular semi-final against Bayern Munich.

Ultimately, though, Arsenal's defensive wall crumbled where many expected—at right-back. First-choice right-back Jurrien Timber was still building match fitness after more than two months out, and his deputy Ben White was also injured, so manager Mikel Arteta turned to third-choice option Cristhian Mosquera, a centre-back by trade. The 21-year-old Spaniard had made only five previous competitive appearances at right-back this season.

There, Mosquera came up against PSG's most dangerous attacker, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who had dominated this Champions League campaign. In the first half, the Georgian could not get a look in against the young Spaniard. Shortly after the restart, Mosquera was booked for time-wasting, adding further pressure to his already difficult task. Then, in the 63rd minute, Kvaratskhelia slipped past the young Spaniard, who brought him down from behind in the box. Ousmane Dembélé stepped up and coolly converted the resulting penalty to make it 1-1.

Mosquera soon departed, allowing Timber to make his return on the biggest stage. PSG grew more dangerous after the equaliser but rarely looked likely to strike again. Kvaratskhelia wasted the best chance to make it 2-1 in the 77th minute before being substituted himself.

Deep into extra time at Puskas Arena, Arsenal supporters suddenly erupted in cheers when the referee awarded their side a corner. Fists pumped, chants rang out—victory, they sensed, was in the air.

After all, the Gunners are the undisputed corner kings of Europe—partly because they have honed tactics that unsettle opposing goalkeepers and sit right on the edge of the rules. They netted 18 goals from set pieces en route to the league title, a Premier League record. Corners had already proved decisive when Arsenal beat Bayern Munich earlier in the season. This time, though, Noni Madueke's delivery was cleared, and the follow-up scramble also came to nothing. Referee Daniel Siebert then blew the final whistle.

This time the referee waited until after the set piece had been delivered. Late in the first half, Arsenal had earned their first corner as the clock ticked into stoppage time. Fans roared, expecting an immediate delivery, and Bukayo Saka trotted over to the flag. However, German referee Daniel Siebert deemed the delay excessive and, with added time already expired, blew the half-time whistle without allowing the kick. Arsenal's players were stunned. The next chance did not arrive until the start of extra time, when Madueke fired off two attempts in quick succession: first blocked by Goncalo Ramos, then by the side netting. Ultimately, Arsenal's biggest attacking threat failed to make an impact against PSG.

Although no Bundesliga side featured in the Budapest final, two Germans were still on the pitch. One was referee Daniel Siebert, who, despite Londoners' outrage, delivered an impeccable performance. Siebert got his key decisions right and did not shy away from making difficult calls.

He correctly disallowed a first-half stoppage-time corner, just as he had earlier awarded PSG a penalty and booked Mosquera for time-wasting. Siebert also spotted an incorrect throw-in by Joao Neves and ruled it out. He also withstood pressure when he correctly declined to award Arsenal a penalty for an alleged foul on Madueke in extra time; the forward had been beaten in a footrace and had dived in an attempt to win a decision. When Arteta and Declan Rice protested too vehemently, Siebert calmly booked both. Given his commanding performance in European club football's showpiece event, FIFA's decision not to pick Siebert for the World Cup looks all the more surprising.

The other German in Budapest also delivered: Kai Havertz put Arsenal 1-0 up early on, underlining his reputation as a man for the big occasion. In 2021, the 26-year-old from Aachen had netted the winner for his former club Chelsea against Manchester City in the final; on the penultimate Premier League matchday, he put Arsenal on course for the title by opening the scoring against Burnley.

Although his strike ultimately proved insufficient, Havertz became only the third player to score in a Champions League final for two different clubs (since the format's 1992 relaunch), joining Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United, Real Madrid) and Mario Mandzukic (Juventus, Bayern Munich).