Thierry Henry has questioned the decision for Gabriel Magalhaes to step up and take a crucial penalty for Arsenal in their Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
Saturday’s final in Budapest was decided from 12 yards with the European champions holding their nerve in the penalty shoot-out and defending their crown.
Eberechi Eze was first denied before David Raya offered a lifeline by denying Nuno Mendes.
It went down to the final kick before sudden death with Gabriel blasting his effort clean over the bar.
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The Brazil international put in a colossal performance on the night with PSG’s usually swashbuckling game thwarted by Arsenal’s resolute defending.
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry was watching on in agony as Arsenal’s long wait for a first Champions League title went on.
While he praised Gabriel for showing the bravery to step up, the former striker was surprised he lined up as Arsenal’s fifth spot kick taker when the game was ultimately lost.
‘I always say when you go and take the penalty I will always have respect for you,’ Henry told CBS Sports.
‘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.’
Before Gabriel’s miss, Eze dragged his effort wide with Steven Gerrard blasting his decision to stutter his run.
‘Penalties are hard enough,’ Gerrard told TNT Sports.
‘Think about the magnitude of the game, the stadium, the atmosphere, it’s hard enough without any of that nonsense. Put you foot through it, back your technique.’