Credit: Hasan Karim - Breaking Media

Jack Dawson

Sat 30 May 2026 21:30, UK

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Keith Hackett was left bemused when referee Daniel Siebert blew the whistle before Arsenal could take their first-half corner in the Champions League final.

The Gunners would lose on penalties at the Puskas Arena after a 1-1 draw.

In the first half, Arsenal did go ahead thanks to a Kai Havertz goal and looked to extend their lead before the break.

In the dying seconds of the first half, Arsenal were awarded a corner before referee Siebert eventually blew his whistle for half-time.

Looking back on the decision, Keith Hackett was far from amused in Arsenal’s Champions League defeat.

Keith Hackett: Arsenal should have been allowed to take late corner

Arsenal’s threat from corners is well-known.

The Gunners have regularly scored from set-pieces this season, and they thought they had a late chance to go 2-0 ahead just before half-time.

However, seemingly unimpressed with how long it was taking the Gunners to take the corner, Siebert decided to blow the half-time whistle before it could be taken.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Hackett was far from impressed and called for an independent timekeeper to avoid this from happening in the future.

CHAMPIONS OF EUROPE!! 🏆❤️💙 pic.twitter.com/UdcD8owejk

— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) May 30, 2026

He said: “In Law five, the referee is the sole timekeeper, and his actions for me underpin the need for football to appoint an Independent timekeeper.

“Good practice here is to allow play to continue and blow up when the ball is in a neutral position.

“This action by the Referee who has officiated well was frankly a bit of nonsense and avoidable. Did not see him taking a proactive approach by signalling to the Arsenal player to get on with it.”

Steven Gerrard: Madness not to give Arsenal corner

Former Manchester City financial adviser Stefan Borson exclusively told Football Insider that Arsenal were right to pay set-piece coach Nicolas Jover bonuses for goals scored from dead-ball situations.

The Gunners were excellent at corners throughout the season, and it helped them lift the Premier League title last week.

However, against PSG, they were simply unable to use this to their advantage, only claiming four throughout the game.

Therefore, the one late in the first-half could have been a turning point, with Steven Gerrard telling TNT Sports that it was “madness” it was not given.

Now, after the defeat, Arsenal’s wait to finally win the Champions League trophy continues.