Budapest, May 31: Arsenal defender Gabriel endured a heartbreaking end to an otherwise impressive season after his missed penalty proved decisive in the Gunners’ 4-3 shootout defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League final on Saturday.
The Brazilian centre-back, who had been one of Arsenal’s standout performers throughout the campaign, saw his effort sail over the crossbar in the penalty shootout, allowing PSG to successfully defend their European crown at the Puskas Arena in Budapest.
The defining image of the night came moments later as a devastated Gabriel stood with his head buried in his hands before being consoled by PSG captain and fellow Brazilian Marquinhos.
It marked a cruel conclusion to Gabriel’s first Champions League final appearance. Remarkably, it was also the first penalty he had taken in an Arsenal shirt.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta revealed after the match that Gabriel had specifically prepared for the possibility of a shootout and had volunteered to take a penalty.“He wanted to take it,” Arteta said. “Normally our designated penalty takers would be Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz. But we knew that if the game went to extra time and penalties, other players would need to step up.”
The miss overshadowed what had otherwise been a commanding defensive display from the 28-year-old. Gabriel recorded 13 clearances during the match, more than any other player on the pitch, as Arsenal attempted to complete a historic Premier League and Champions League double.
The London club had made the perfect start when Kai Havertz fired Arsenal ahead inside six minutes, sending their supporters into celebration mode. PSG, despite enjoying large spells of possession, struggled to create clear-cut opportunities against a disciplined Arsenal defence that largely kept the dangerous trio of Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue under control.
However, the French champions eventually found a way back into the contest when Dembele converted from the penalty spot, levelling the score and setting up a tense battle that neither side appeared willing to lose.
As the match drifted towards penalties, chances became increasingly scarce and goalkeepers David Raya and Matvey Safonov were rarely called into action.
The shootout itself swung dramatically. (Agencies)
