Arsenal get instant response over PSG referee controversy after Declan Rice wades in

Former Premier League referee Keith Hackett believes Arsenal should have been awarded a crucial penalty in their Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.

The Gunners were left devastated when Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Magalhaes both failed to convert their spot-kicks against PSG. However, during extra-time, Arsenal believed they were about to receive an opportunity to clinch victory from 12 yards, when Noni Madueke became entangled with Nuno Mendes.

Madueke appeared to have evaded the Portuguese defender, but following contact between the pair, both players tumbled inside the penalty area. Referee Daniel Siebert dismissed Arsenal's appeals while VAR opted against intervening. Declan Rice, who received a yellow card for dissent following the decision, stated he was convinced it was a penalty at the time, but wished to review the incident again.

The Gunners' midfielder wasn't alone in his assessment as Hackett supported Rice's view on the penalty shout. Hackett said: "The referee was firm in his decision not to award a penalty kick, satisfied that no offence had taken place.

"The referee said no, and VAR, viewing the replays, decided that there was not a clear and obvious error by the match referee to meet the criteria to send the referee to the screen. Without question, I think we can all say that we have seen these given.

"I suspect the referee judged that the Arsenal player was doing the holding. Frankly, in these tight decisions, I would like the referee to have a second look to determine the accuracy of such an important call."

Following the final whistle, Rice commented: "I've not seen it back yet. At first glance on the pitch, I thought Noni was ahead of Nuno Mendes.

Noni Madueke of Arsenal is challenged by Nuno Mendes of Paris Saint-Germain

Noni Madueke when down under Nuno Mendes' challenge

"And looking back at the one we got against Bayer Leverkusen, it was very, very similar. I'm not going to get into it now.

"Obviously I was gutted at the time because I thought the ref would go and have a look. But it was obviously not clear enough to be a penalty and I thought it was and so did our bench and so did our players."

Arteta expressed greater conviction that Arsenal deserved a spot-kick, pointing out that comparable incidents have resulted in penalties this campaign. The Arsenal manager told TNT Sports: "I watch it back and it could easily be a penalty.

"Especially we see the penalty they gave this year in the competition this season. The referee made a decision, and he made a different one with Cristhian Mosquera and that is an important one."

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