What Gabriel said before penalty miss in Arsenal's Champions League final defeat

Marquinhos consoles Gabriel after his penalty miss (Picture: Getty)

Mikel Arteta has revealed Arsenal star Gabriel not only put his hand up to take a penalty in the Champions League final but asked to take what is often the decisive fifth spot-kick.

Asked about his decision to make Gabriel’s fifth penalty-taker , Arteta said in his post-match press conference: ‘He wanted to take number five.

‘We have trained and prepared for this moment. Normally the penalty-takers would be Bukayo [Saka], Martin [Odegaard] and Kai [Havertz] for sure.

‘We knew it would be different players if we went to penalties but we still backed the players and their quality because in training they don’t miss any.

‘But then you have to do it in the moment and we didn’t have the same precision as PSG had.’

Meanwhile, Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice fronted up after his side’s heartbreaking defeat in Budapest .

‘It’s gutting, it’s devastating to lose a Champions League final on penalties,’ the England star told TNT Sports .

PSG celebrate winning the Champions League (Picture: Getty)

‘Trying to take perspective on how far we’ve come as a group. Incredible season, gave it absolutely everything, we took the game to penalties. It’s a lottery, it’s football.

‘You can either win or lose on penalties. Some of the best teams ever have lost on penalties and we were on the receiving end of that tonight

‘We win together, we lose together, I’m so proud of these boys. I can’t speak highly enough of everyone.

Gabriel misses his penalty ❌ PSG WIN THE UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE!!! 🏆 📺 TNT Sports & HBO Max pic.twitter.com/6XSuU3xqsN — Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 30, 2026