Arsenal fans have a major gripe with Bukayo Saka’s missed Panenka penalty against Real Madrid.
Saka had the perfect opportunity to extend Arsenal’s three-goal advantage after their impressive 3-0 win in the first leg at the Emirates.
Referee Francois Letexier awarded Arsenal a penalty early in the second leg at the Bernabeu, following a VAR check.
Captain Martin Odegaard initially held onto the ball but handed it over to Saka, who couldn’t capitalize on the chance.
Saka opted for a Panenka-style penalty, but Real Madrid keeper Thibaut Courtois read it well and made the save by diving to his right.
Arsenal fans quickly took to social media, voicing frustration over the failed attempt — particularly that Saka didn’t aim straight down the middle.
One user on X wrote: “Lmao Saka, down the middle at least with the Panenka.”
Another said: “A panenka is supposed to go down the middle, Bro.”
A third commented: “Saka that was really really bad — at least put it in the middle.”
A fourth questioned: “Did Saka mean to hit that in the middle of the goal? Because that is one of the worst penalties I’ve ever seen. What on Earth was he thinking?”
Someone else added: “My theory: Saka got caught in two minds. Panenkas go down the middle, not to the side.”
During TNT Sports’ commentary, Ally McCoist remarked: “I can’t believe it. The goalkeeper does unbelievably well. It’s not a great pen — he gives the keeper a chance to get a hand to it, and Courtois does brilliantly.”
Shortly afterward, Real Madrid were awarded a penalty of their own, but the decision was overturned after a lengthy VAR review.
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