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Eberechi Eze explains why he won’t be changing his run-up after missing penalty in Champions League final

Eberechi Eze explains why he won’t be changing his run-up after missing a penalty in Arsenal’s Champions League final shootout defeat.

The 27 year old says he wouldn’t let that stop him from taking a penalty in a shootout during the 2026 World Cup, weeks on from the Gunners’ losing to PSG on spot kicks.

He missed his side’s second penalty in a 4-3 defeat, sending the ball wide after a delayed run-up, frustrating many, with commentators and pundits baffled why players continue to do it.

As reported by The Telegraph, Eze was asked if he would change it, he replied: “No, I think I have taken penalties for a long time and it’s part of the journey.

“You have to continue to improve, find new ways to improve. I’m not going to stress too much about it because I know I’m in this position for a reason and all the training behind it.

“Football is full of everything and you have to try to accept everything as it is, to enjoy it as much as you can. Playing in a Champions League final is where I want to be, it’s what I want to do.

“We’ll go for it again next season and if there is a penalty to take then I’ll be there again. All the big players have missed big penalties, have experienced these type of moments. I’ve had messages from everyone to speak on those moments. For me it’s not something I wish never happened. I’m grateful it happened. I’m going to grow from it, learn from it and move forward.”

On if he’d take a penalty for England in a knockout tie: “If called upon, for sure. Why wouldn’t I take it?”

He added he received supportive messages and speaking with Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford, who both missed for England in the Euro 2020 final shootout.

“Honestly before even speaking to them, you can see the way big players carry themselves.

“You step up, you do what you need to do. If you miss, you miss. If you score, you score. It’s having the mentality to keep going. That’s part of the journey.”

On much of Tuchel’s squad seeing success with their clubs and how it will benefit England: “It’s important for a player’s confidence to have that under your belt, to experience winning.

“It gives you a different level of confidence and a lot of players [in the squad] experiencing that is only going to help us here.”

On battling it out with Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers for the No 10 role: “I think that’s the type of player I am, it’s not just one position I can play.

“Wherever I’m called upon is where I will play. I’ll try to express myself and enjoy myself.”

While talking to the media, Marc Guehi backed Ebere Eze, saying last week: “Ebz is a fantastic player.

“I’ve seen it from day one, he’s someone that has overcome so many adversities.

“To be here is a fantastic achievement for himself but I’ve seen his development at Palace. He’s a true gent, someone you love to be around and of course a fantastic player.

“I just congratulated him on the Premier League. I didn’t really watch the Champions League final, I obviously heard about it, but it’s important to remind everyone of the good things that he’s done.

“It’s obviously nice for Arsenal fans to do that (support him).”

Here’s how fans reacted as Eberechi Eze explains why he won’t be changing his run-up after missing penalty in Champions League final…

@jpeeqay: Even if he was going to change it (he should) why would he state that publicly before he potentially has to take a very important penalty

@CFCDaily: Hopefully he doesn’t take one then.

@Mark_H_87: Let’s hope we never go to penalties then

@MightyMillers20: Then TT needs to put him last by that i mean 10th

@DeanoCummings85: Hopefully he’s last on the list

@tinscognito__: Alright thanks for telling our enemies

@1892Ben: this is a threat against the national team, starmer must intervene

@_mstephenson88: Let’s make this easy. Don’t give him a penalty, give it Pickford over him.

@seilestay: Don’t let him anywhere near the penalty spot

@MikezAFC_: Seems like be hasn’t learnt his lesson

@bitasts: Having watched him at Palace and as much as I love him, there is no way he should be anywhere near a penalty for England. That stutter step action just doesn’t work.

@MrBradleyDoyle: He should never be doing that run up ever again. Just head down and put your foot through it. Players complicate it so much nowadays with all these weird signature run ups!

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