A ‘proud’ Gabriel Magalhaes has thanked Arsenal fans for their support following his devastating penalty miss in the side’s Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
Arsenal had looked on course to clinch a historic double – after their Premier League success – as Kai Havertz struck in only the sixth minute against the reigning European champions.
But Luis Enrique’s men rallied and found an all-important equaliser with 25 minutes remaining of normal time as Ousmane Dembele converted from the spot following Cristhian Mosquera’s foul on Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
The two teams could not be separated as referee Daniel Siebert blew his whistle to bring extra-time to a halt, setting the stage for a nerve-shredding shootout at Budapest’s Puskas Arena.
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And while Nuno Mendes was denied by a flying David Raya, Eberechi Eze struck wide from 12 yards before Gabriel fired over with a wild effort to ensure PSG got their hands on the trophy for a second time in as many seasons.
‘It’s painful, but I’m proud of this team and everything we achieved together this season,’ the Arsenal defender wrote in a post on Instagram.
‘Thank you to our incredible fans for your support every step of the way. You deserve to celebrate this journey with us and enjoy the parade today!
‘See you next season!!! Love, Big Gabi [love heart emoji]’
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The decision for Gabriel to take Arsenal’s fifth and decisive penalty has received widespread criticism from fans and pundits alike, with club legend Thierry Henry among those to question the surprising call.
‘I always say when you go and take the penalty I will always have respect for you,’ the former Arsenal and France striker said on CBS Sports’ coverage of the final.
‘I don’t know why he went, I don’t know how he arrived to be the fifth guy but he went.
‘How he played all season and tonight was immense. But he missed it. But he didn’t hide.’
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Declan Rice, meanwhile, revealed that both Gabriel and Eze were left ‘devastated’ by their misses in a ‘cruel’ penalty shootout.
‘They are devastated to miss a penalty in the Champions League final,’ the Arsenal midfielder said shortly after the final whistle.
‘It is not nice. But we love them, we are with them and that happens in football. They are not going to be the last players to miss penalties in finals.
‘Everyone has missed a penalty and without those two this season we wouldn’t have won the Premier League, that is for sure.
‘I’ve ran out of words for Gabriel, as a person, as a player. Eze as well. the crucial goals he has come up with this year. It is cruel, but its football.’
Arsenal’s squad have been forced to quickly pick themselves up from the crushing setback in Hungary’s capital, with the club’s Premier League title parade taking place this afternoon.
Thousands of flocked to north London to soak up the moment with Mikel Arteta and his players, causing severe disturbances and delays on both the London Underground and Overground.
The newly crowned English champions are scheduled to set off on their 5.6-mile route through Islington, Highbury and Canonbury at 2pm, before returning to the Emirates area for further celebrations.
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