Thierry Henry was just as disappointed as every Arsenal fan after the Gunners lost the Champions League final in Budapest.
Mikel Arteta’s side made everyone proud against Paris Saint-Germain by coming ever so close to finally winning the European crown.
However, two misses in the penalty shootout – first from Eberechi Eze and then from Gabriel Magalhaes – cost Arsenal the Champions League trophy.
Henry couldn’t believe that the latter was asked to take the penalty.
Who was your Arsenal Man of the Match from the Champions League final?
Thierry Henry says he doesn’t know why Gabriel Magalhaes was asked to take a penalty
A number of Arsenal’s usual penalty takers were not on the pitch for the shootout in the Champions League final.
Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Leandro Trossard and Martin Odegaard were all taken off, while the likes of Mikel Merino, Gabriel Jesus, Riccardo Calafiori and Max Dowman were on the bench.
So, Arteta had to do with what he had, and he turned to his attackers first.
Viktor Gyokeres, Gabriel Martinelli, and Declan Rice all scored, but Eze and Gabriel ended up missing their kicks.
What surprised many was that the Brazilian defender was given the role ahead of the likes of Noni Madueke and Martin Zubimendi.
Even Thierry Henry was surprised, but he hailed Gabriel for stepping up.
The Arsenal legend said on CBS Sports: “‘I always say when you go and take the penalty, I will always have respect for you.
“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.”
Tell us we’re wrong…Mikel Arteta just cost Arsenal the Champions League by sending Gabriel up to take a penalty
Gabriel Magalhaes deserves praise, not criticism
Gabriel had an outstanding game in normal time against PSG.
The Brazilian was a rock at the back, put his body on the line to block shots and didn’t put a foot wrong defensively in the Champions League final.
After that, Gabriel stepped up to take the most important penalty of his life, which, even though he missed, he deserves praise for taking on that responsibility.
The Arsenal number six apologised to the travelling supporters after the game, but he doesn’t have to. We’re sure everyone is fully behind him because he deserves our support.
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