Thomas Tuchel
In the aftermath of Arsenal’s gut-wrenching defeat in the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain, Eberechi Eze’s missed penalty has been a significant talking point. The miss, which proved pivotal in the shoot-out, has been a heavy burden for Eze. Despite this, Thomas Tuchel expressed confidence that the Arsenal squad will not carry lingering regrets into the international break.
Thomas Tuchel said: “Of course it’s painful for Ebs but of course I will take care of it, the group will take care of him and I think the extra week they had will help a lot. I’m very happy that they got the title in England. I think that took a lot of weight off their shoulders and they were aware they did what they could and they were very close in the final. I don’t think I will need to lift them. They’ve absolutely had a great season. At some point a winner has to be found. I have lost some finals in a penalty shoot-out and it’s the closest way to lose and it hurts of course, it hurts a lot to lose big finals but a penalty means you did everything right, it couldn’t be closer.”
Tuchel’s remarks highlight his belief in the resilience of his players, emphasizing that their Premier League victory, their first in 22 years, has already alleviated much pressure. The Arsenal contingent, including Eze, Declan Rice, and Bukayo Saka, have had a whirlwind season, and Tuchel is confident that they will not let the Champions League disappointment overshadow their accomplishments.
While the England squad prepares for an upcoming friendly against New Zealand, Tuchel noted that some players might not feature due to their recent exertions. Declan Rice, in particular, has faced a grueling schedule, while others like Saka have been involved in off-field activities, such as attending a documentary premiere in New York.
Thomas Tuchel added: “We’re in good spirits, so this is normally what helps and I think they’re very well aware of what they achieved this season. I thought I would just leave them to themselves, so they could be proud of what they achieved. We spoke after their title in the Premier League, which was the big target and I think that was the main target. I could feel that it makes them proud, and took a weight off their shoulders and I think there is no need to be overly disappointed and to carry it into the World Cup campaign. I don’t see that.”
Tuchel’s reassurances suggest that the Arsenal players are likely to focus on their achievements rather than dwell on the final’s outcome. The manager’s approach of allowing them space to reflect on their success is expected to foster a positive mindset as they transition into international duties.
About The Author
