Arsenal got off to the dream start in the UEFA Champions League final as Kai Havertz fired them into the lead against Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest.
The German playmaker got a clear run through on goal after a failed clearance bounced off Trossard, giving him a one-on-one opportunity with goalkeeper Matvey Safonov.
It was relatively similar to the chance he got in the 2021 final when he scored against Manchester City as Chelsea won the competition for the second time in their history, and the end result was the same here.
Havertz waited and waited for a teammate to make a run into the box, but when no one showed he rifled the ball over the keeper’s head and into the roof of the net in the sixth minute.
Champions League controversy as Arsenal benefit from handball decisions
Replays, though, showed that the ball had hit Trossard’s hit in the lead up to the goal. VAR did not overturn the goal, which was ultimately the right decision as it was completely unintentional and impossible to avoid given how close he was to the ball.
PSG did, however, have reason to feel aggrieved later when another handball incident occurred in Arsenal’s box.
Bukayo Saka attempted to clear the ball from a PSG corner in the 16th minute, but he fluffed his lines, missing the ball entirely with his leg before it bounced off his arm and then off his hand.
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PSG players called for a penalty, but referee Daniel Siebert evidently felt that it as accidental and not worthy of a spot kick as he ignored their protestations. The VAR agreed, as no action was taken.
It was a controversial decision as similar incidents have resulted in penalties in the past, but Arsenal could breathe a sigh of relief.
The Gunners did a great job of shutting down PSG’s attack in the first half and deservedly held onto their slender lead going into the break, although they were complaining when the halftime whistle went.
Saka took his sweet time taking a corner deep as the game passed the six minutes of allotted stoppage time, so the referee blew his whistle in frustration at the north London outfit’s time wasting antics.
Cristhian Mosquera was booked just 60 seconds after the restart for taking too long with a throw-in, setting a precedent for the second half.
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