What Gabriel said before penalty miss in Arsenal’s Champions League final defeat

Marquinhos consoles Gabriel after his penalty miss (Picture: Getty)

Mikel Arteta has revealed Arsenal defender Gabriel not only put his hand up to take a penalty in the Champions League final but asked to take what is often the decisive fifth spot-kick.

Arsenal’s quest for a first Champions League trophy ended in a heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat to holders PSG.

The Gunners sensed a historic triumph when Kai Havertz gave the Premier League champions an early lead in Budapest.

But Ousmane Dembele’s second-half penalty sent the Champions League final to extra-time and eventually penalties, where PSG came out on top.

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Eberechi Eze missed from the spot before Gabriel blasted over with the decisive effort that ensured PSG retained their Champions League crown.

It was somewhat surprising to see Brazilian centre-back Gabriel step up to take Arsenal’s fifth and decisive penalty but Arteta says he wanted that responsibility.

Asked about his decision to make Gabriel’s fifth penalty-taker, Arteta said in his post-match press conference: ‘He wanted to take number five.

PSG celebrate winning the Champions League (Picture: Getty)

‘We have trained and prepared for this moment. Normally the penalty-takers would be Bukayo [Saka], Martin [Odegaard] and Kai [Havertz] for sure.

‘We knew it would be different players if we went to penalties but we still backed the players and their quality because in training they don’t miss any.

‘But then you have to do it in the moment and we didn’t have the same precision as PSG had.’

Gabriel misses his penalty ❌

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Speaking more generally, Arteta added: ‘PSG are a superb team and I congratulate them. The individual quality they have, the manner they are coached, they are a top, top team.

‘You have to go through the emotions and if you’re in pain, then go through the pain. Think you could do something else, then learn from it. Reflect on that and show the ambition that we want to have again.

‘I am so proud of this team, with this season we have had under the circumstances. Internally, we know what we have been through.

Mikel Arteta after Arsenal’s defeat to PSG (Picture: Getty)

‘It is just a privilege to manage this group of players and this team the way they carry this badge and how much they put into it. We got a big one [Premier League] and missed out on the biggest one.’

Meanwhile, Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice fronted up after his side’s heartbreaking defeat in Budapest.

‘It’s gutting, it’s devastating to lose a Champions League final on penalties,’ the England star told TNT Sports.

‘Trying to take perspective on how far we’ve come as a group. Incredible season, gave it absolutely everything, we took the game to penalties. It’s a lottery, it’s football.

‘You can either win or lose on penalties. Some of the best teams ever have lost on penalties and we were on the receiving end of that tonight

‘We win together, we lose together, I’m so proud of these boys. I can’t speak highly enough of everyone.

‘I’m obviously gutted but I’m trying to take perspective. It’s been an incredible journey this season. We will be back.’

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