THIERRY HENRY has questioned why Gabriel took Arsenal’s fifth penalty against Paris Saint-Germain.
The Brazilian missed the crucial spot kick that saw .
Gabriel missed Arsenal’s crucial fifth penalty kick Credit: Getty
Thierry Henry was in attendance at the Budapest showpiece Credit: AFP
also failed to hit the target from 12 yards, with , and netting their penalties.
legend , 48, walked out with the trophy alongside hero ahead of the game.
He then worked as an analyst for American network CBS Sports.
Reflecting on the decision for Gabriel to take the all-important fifth penalty, Henry said: “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.”
Potential penalty takers and had been substituted by the time the penalty shoot-out came around.
But the likes of and Martin Zubimendi could have volunteered.
Gabriel was left devastated after missing his penalty Credit: Getty
Explaining the decision, boss said after the game: “He wanted to take number five.
“Obviously we have prepared and trained this moment. Normally the penalty takers would be Bukayo, Martin and Kai for sure.
“Today we knew that if we go to extra-time and penalties, the penalty takers would be different players.
“Still with the quality – when you have Ebs taking penalties in training, he doesn’t miss any. But then you have to do it in this moment.
“We were unfortunate not to have the same precision and efficiency that they had and that’s the reason we haven’t won it.”
On whether the pain of defeat can spur his side on in future, Arteta added: “First of all, you have to go through that pain, digest it and turn it into fuel and improve to reach a different level.
“It will demand a different level with the quality around Europe. I want to congratulate PSG, Luis [Enrique] in particular, because in my opinion they’re the best team in the world.
“What they are able to do with the ball, with individual actions, I haven’t seen it. It’s not the plan to play in certain areas when you don’t have the ball but they force you to do that, so even more credit to the players.”
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Gabriel walks past the trophy with his runner-up medal Credit: Getty
Marquinhos comforts his Brazil international team-mate Credit: Getty
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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