Steven Gerrard slams Arsenal star for ‘nonsense’ penalty after Champions League final defeat

Liverpool legend and ex-England midfielder Steven Gerrard (Picture: Getty)

Steven Gerrard slammed Eberechi Eze for his ‘nonsense’ penalty as Arsenal suffered a heartbreaking shootout defeat to PSG in the Champions League final.

PSG retained their Champions League crown with a penalty shootout win over Premier League leaders Arsenal in Budapest.

Kai Havertz put Arsenal ahead with a brilliant early strike but Ousmane Dembele equalised with a second-half penalty.

Neither side were able to find a winner in normal time or the additional 30 minutes and PSG held their nerve on penalties.

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Eze stuttered during his run-up and put his effort wide before Gabriel blasted over with the effort that confirmed PSG as back-to-back European champions.

After England star Eze missed from the spot, Gerrard said on TNT Sports: ‘Penalties are hard enough.

‘Think about the magnitude of the game, the stadium, the atmosphere, it’s hard enough without any of that nonsense. Put you foot through it, back your technique.’

Eberechi Eze missed a penalty for Arsenal (Picture: Getty)

Former Manchester United star Owen Hargreaves also questioned Eze’s penalty technique, adding: ‘I’ve never been a bit fan of that run-up, I think it puts you under pressure.

‘I prefer players picking their corner and smashing it in. That one, if you stutter, you can put a bit of doubt in your own mind if the goalkeeper doesn’t move.

‘I feel for him and Gabriel because they’re two brilliant players. I just think you need to take doubt out of it by running up and hitting the penalty rather than stuttering.’

PSG retained their Champions League trophy (Picture: Getty)

Arsenal were taking part in their first Champions League final in 20 years, just a week after securing their first Premier League title since 2004.

Speaking after the defeat, former midfielder Jack Wilshere said: ‘It will take a while to get over, but I’m pretty sure it’s not going to take another 20 years to get to another final with Mikel in charge.

‘I fancied us [Arsenal] for penalties but it’s a hard one to take.’

💬 "If you stutter step… you have to hit the target."

Owen Hargreaves analyses Eze's missed penalty in the shootout.

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Hargreaves added: ‘What a journey this team has taken their fans on. The best in the Premier League, one of the best in Europe. Arsenal are here to stay, they will go again.’

PSG, meanwhile, become just the second team after Real Madrid to retain the Champions League trophy.

Two-time Champions League winner Desire Doue said: ‘We are so, so proud, so happy and grateful.

‘It was a tough game against a good team. We have to enjoy this as a team as a family because we deserve it. Look at the crowd!

‘We have to stay humble and we will work again, we want more, we are a young, hungry team. We will go again.’

Arsenal will hold a trophy parade in north London on Sunday but Mikel Arteta’s side will not bring the Champions League back to the Emirates Stadium.

At some point they will still be able to reflect on a hugely successful season, though, as they became Premier League champions for the first time in 22 years.

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