Peter Schmeichel says he felt especially ‘sorry’ for Gabriel as the Arsenal defender was the ‘best player on the pitch’ during the Champions League final.
Gabriel’s penalty that flew over the bar confirmed PSG’s status as European champions for another year and ensured Arsenal fell short in their first Champions League final since 2006.
The Gunners were aiming to complete a sensational double after clinching the Premier League title and took the lead inside seven minutes through Kai Havertz’s superb finish.
While not creating many clear-cut chances, PSG were largely on top from then on and equalised shortly after half-time, Ousmane Dembele scoring from the spot after Cristhian Mosquera fouled Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
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The match ended 1-1 after 90 and 120 minutes and PSG held their nervy in the shootout, with Gabriel missing the target after Arsenal teammate Eberechi Eze also missed.
Manchester United legend Schmeichel felt ‘so sorry’ for Gabriel and says the Brazilian centre-back was the ‘best player on the pitch’ up until the penalty shootout.
‘In came down to penalties, it could have gone either way,’ Schmeichel, who won the Champions League in 1999, said on CBS Sports.
‘I feel incredibly sorry or Gabriel because I thought he was outstanding, the best player on the pitch.
‘His defending was so good. For him to be the guy who missed the last penalty and decided the result, I feel so sorry for him.’
Asked whether it was a mistake for Gabriel to take Arsenal’s fifth penalty, Schmeichel added: ‘I don’t think you can say that, I think that’s a bit of an insult because of course he can kick a ball, this is a top player.
‘But that is pressure, he knows he has to score and if he doesn’t PSG will win. What he tried to do there is hit the roof of the net and that carries that risk, if you don’t get it right it gets over.
‘Because Arsenal took the lead the whole game and tactics changed and Arsenal leant into what they’ve done so many times in the Premier League this season, defend that 1-0.
‘I really feel for Gabriel. He was a man mountain at the back, that guy kept them alive for a very, very long time.’
Meanwhile, Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard was keen to remember the positive moments of the season after the Champions League final loss.
The Gunners won the Premier League for the first time in 22 years and will hold a trophy parade in north London on Sunday.
‘We need to take our time in order to get over this loss,’ said Odegaard. ‘The season’s been amazing in a lot of different ways, we just couldn’t quite do the double.
‘But we have to be proud of our performance. We’ve done some incredible things and we had a great run in the Champions League as well.
‘We just have to use the feeling that we have now and also the positive feelings we have from this season to reflect on all of it and make sure we come back even stronger next season.’
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta added: ‘It’s very tough when you are so consistent in the competition all the way to the final, and at the end you lose the trophy on a penalty kick.
‘It’s difficult. I’m so proud of them. It’s just a privilege to manage this group of players, this team, the way they carry this badge and how much they put into it.’
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