Mikel Arteta has revealed that Gabriel Magalhães personally asked to take Arsenal’s decisive fifth penalty in their Champions League final shootout defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
Arsenal were beaten 4-3 on penalties after a tense 1-1 draw at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest on Saturday.
Kai Havertz gave the Gunners an early lead, but Ousmane Dembélé levelled for PSG from the spot in the second half before Luis Enrique’s side went on to defend their European crown.
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Gabriel eventually stepped up needing to score to keep Arsenal alive, but the Brazilian defender blasted his effort over the bar.
After the match, Arteta explained that Gabriel had wanted the responsibility of taking the fifth penalty.
Gabriel misses his penalty ❌
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Mikel Arteta had to change his plans
Arsenal had prepared for that exact situation in training, but the shootout plan changed because some of their usual takers were no longer on the pitch by the time penalties arrived.
Arteta said Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard and Kai Havertz would normally be among Arsenal’s main penalty options. However, after extra time, the order had to be adjusted.
Eberechi Eze also stepped up but missed Arsenal’s second penalty, while Declan Rice and Gabriel Martinelli converted their efforts.
PSG were not perfect either, with David Raya saving Nuno Mendes’ attempt, but the French side showed just enough composure to get over the line.
“He wanted to take number five,” Arteta said, as reported by The Standard.
“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…
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