Arteta reveals why Gabriel took decisive spot-kick in UCL final loss

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has explained why defender Gabriel Magalhães took the team’s final penalty in their UEFA Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on Saturday.

The match ended 1-1 after extra time and was decided by a penalty shoot-out.

Kai Havertz scored for Arsenal during regular time, while Ousmane Dembélé equalised for PSG, forcing the game into penalties.

During the shoot-out, Gabriel Magalhães and Eberechi Eze missed their spot-kicks, giving PSG the advantage. The French club went on to win the Champions League title.

Speaking after the match, Arteta said Gabriel volunteered to take the last penalty and had prepared for that moment in training.

“Gabriel wanted to take the last penalty. We trained for that moment,” Arteta said.

Although Arsenal lost the final, Gabriel had an impressive season and played a key role in helping the club win the Premier League title ahead of Manchester City.