Gabriel shootout miss after standout PSG display as Arsenal fall | OneFootball

Gabriel’s penalty shootout miss, after an outstanding final display against PSG, sent Arsenal tumbling and capped a cruel night.

According to L'Équipe, the Brazil international, 28, had been combative and composed, making 13 clearances and halting Khvitcha Kvaratskhelia in the 11th minute, then Désiré Doué on 31 and Ousmane Dembélé on 37.

When his turn came as Arsenal’s fifth taker, he lifted the ball over the bar, then stood motionless, hands to his mouth, stunned at the consequences. Marquinhos embraced him, the pair anchor Brazil’s defence and the PSG captain knows too well how unforgiving this competition can be.

He now joins a select group of defenders whose missed kicks in finals hastened defeat, Sonny Silooy in 1996 with Ajax, Mauricio Pellegrino in 2001 with Valencia, and Juanfran in 2016 for Atlético Madrid. Supporters may question why he stepped up given penalties are not his speciality, and he had never previously taken one in open play or in a shootout since arriving in Europe in 2017.

Had the shootout gone Arsenal’s way, his performance might have earned player of the final honours alongside Declan Rice and Kai Havertz. It would have crowned a season notable in defence and attack, with 4 goals in all competitions. Rice later paid tribute to Gabriel and Eberechie Eze, who also missed, stressing the squad’s backing and noting Arsenal would not have won the Premier League without them.

Mikel Arteta explained that Gabriel asked to be the fifth taker and that the squad had rehearsed for the moment. With Bukayo Saka, Martin Ödegaard and Kai Havertz substituted, others were likely to be needed, leaving Gabriel with a task perhaps not best suited to him.

Source: L'Équipe