A Champions League final is always remembered not just for the joy of victory, but for tough decisions, immense pressure, and moments that can change the fate of an entire match in an instant. The decisive clash between PSG and Arsenal was no exception.
The London club put up a worthy fight against their opponent throughout regulation and extra time. The match ended 1-1, and the champion was decided in a penalty shootout. However, in this process, considered one of the toughest tests in football, Arsenal lacked a bit of precision, composure, and luck. PSG won the shootout 4-3 to claim the title.
After the match, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta commented on the penalty miss by team defender Gabriel. The Spanish tactician preferred to explain the internal side of the situation rather than blame his player.
Arteta stated that Gabriel wanted to take the fifth penalty himself. This shows that he did not shy away from responsibility; on the contrary, he was ready to step up for his team in the most difficult moment.
“Gabriel wanted to take the fifth penalty himself. We had prepared and trained for exactly these kinds of situations,” said Arteta.
The coach emphasized that Arsenal had prepared for such a scenario in advance, as in finals, the outcome might not be decided in regulation time, potentially going to extra time and even penalties. Therefore, the team worked on various scenarios in training.
Usually, players like Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, and Kai Havertz take penalties for Arsenal. But in a big final, things don't always go according to plan. Due to fatigue, substitutions, mental pressure, and match developments, other players have to take responsibility.
“Usually, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, and Kai Havertz take the penalties. But we understood that the game could go to extra time and penalties. In such cases, other players have to step up,” he added.
Arteta stressed that the most important thing in such moments is overcoming the pressure. Walking from the center circle to the penalty spot in a final, facing the goalkeeper, and taking a shot that determines the fate of the entire season is not easy. At such times, a player's mental stability is just as important as their skill.
The Spanish tactician admitted that Arsenal lacked the level of precision shown by PSG. In his opinion, this specific aspect deprived the London club of the trophy.
“You have to overcome the pressure in those moments. Unfortunately, we lacked the precision that the opponent demonstrated. That is exactly why we couldn't win,” said Arteta.
Gabriel's mistake naturally caused discussions among fans. But in football, missing a penalty is a heavy burden for the whole team, not just one player. Gabriel did not avoid responsibility; he stepped up for his team and took the decisive kick. That alone requires courage.
Even though Arsenal lost the final, they showed great growth, character, and hope for the future this season. PSG won the cup, and Arteta's pupils learned a hard lesson. This lesson could make the London club even stronger next season. The final was lost, but Arsenal's big dream is not over yet.
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