Arsenal held a 1-0 lead at the interval against Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest during the Champions League final.. The opening half was defined by contentious handball calls involving Leandro Trossard and Bukayo Saka.

The Trossard handball that fueled the Havertz goal

In the 12th minute of the Champions League final in Budapest, Kai Havertz scored a goal that ignited immediate debate among fans and pundits. The play began when PSG captain Marquinhos cleared the ball toward Arsenal's Leandro Trossard, who appeared to use his arm to redirect the ball toward Havertz . Despite replays suggesting a handball, the referee and VAR allowed the goal to stand.

As the report states, the decision sparked immediate backlash on social media, with some fans even suggesting the officiating was corrupt. While the goal gave Arsenal the early advantage, the visual evidence of Trossard's arm involvement remains a primary point of contention for rival supporters.

Bukayo Saka's missed penalty appeal in the Arsenal box

Shortly after the opening goal, Bukayo Saka was at the center of another contentious moment in the Arsenal penalty area. As Saka attempted to clear a bouncing ball, he lost his balance and the ball struck his hand. While PSG players vehemently appealed for a penalty, the official waved play on, a decision that drew widespread criticism.

The report notes that many observers pointed out Saka appeared to hit the ball twice while his arm was in an unnatural position. However, pundits like former Arsenal defender Martin Keown, speaking for TNT Sports, defended the call, suggesting the referee had a fantastic view and that the decision aligned with the "spirit" of the game. Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard echoed this, stating that even from a biased perspective, it did not look like a penalty.

Why Cristhian Mosquera escaped a second yellow in Budapest

The officiating controversy intensified in the second half when Arsenal's Cristhian Mosquera fouled Khvicha Kvaratskhelia inside the box. this resulted in a penalty for PSG, which Ousmane Dembele converted to level the match at 1-1. A major point of confusion for spectators was why Mosquera, who was already on a yellow card, was not issued a second yellow to trigger a red card.

Under standard laws of the game, a professional foul that denies a promising attack typically warrants a caution. Following the incident, Mosquera was immediately substituted for Jurrien Timber, but the failure to issue a second booking remains a significant unanswered question for those analyzing the match's disciplinary flow.

Arsenal's pattern of benefiting from seven refereeing errors

This sequence of events in Budapest follows a broader trend regarding Arsenal's recent officiating luck. According to the report, a recent study indicated that the Gunners have benefited from more refereeing errors than any other Premier League side this season. This includes seven specific instances in their favor, such as three ungiven penalties and three ungiven red cards.

This recurring narrative suggests that the club's path through high-stakes matches has been aided by officiating inconsistencies. As the Champions League final progressed , these patterns became a central theme of the post-match discussion, overshadowing the tactical battle between Mikel Arteta and the PSG squad.

Who is responsible for the VAR's silence?

Several critical questions remain regarding the match's officiating and the role of technology. it is unclear why the VAR did not intervene on the Trossard handball or the Saka incident, given the high stakes of a Champions League final. Additionally, the decision to not send off Mosquera for a professional foul remains a point of intense debate among fans and analysts alike.