Tusport - News - Arteta: Gabriel asked for last pen as Rice backs duo

Mikel Arteta revealed a striking post‑match detail after Arsenal’s agonising UEFA Champions League final defeat on penalties in Budapest: centre‑back Gabriel asked to take the decisive kick. “Gabriel wanted to take the last penalty,” Arteta said. “We trained for that moment.” It was a window into the Gunners’ preparation and courage on a night when the margins were paper‑thin against Paris Saint‑Germain. Declan Rice offered an emotional defence of the two teammates who missed from the spot, confirming that Gabriel and Eze were “devastated” in the dressing room but deserved unwavering support. “They are devastated to miss a penalty in a Champions League final, obviously it’s not nice,” Rice admitted. “But we love them and we’re with them. It happens in football. They’re not going to be the last players to miss penalties in finals.” Rice stressed that the pair’s contribution across an “incredible season” cannot be measured by a single moment. “Without those two this season we wouldn’t have won the Premier League, that’s for sure. Gabriel, I’ve run out of words for him as a person and as a player. Eze has had some crucial goals for us this season.” The midfielder’s message was clear: perspective, gratitude and unity above all else after the cruel finish. Reflecting on the shootout heartbreak, Rice called penalties “a lottery”. “We win together, we lose together,” he said. “I’m obviously gutted but I’m trying to take perspective. It’s been an incredible journey this season. We will be back.” His words struck the tone of a leader determined to convert pain into progress. Arteta’s note about rehearsed roles underlines how methodical Arsenal were even in the tensest phase of the final. Players knew their order, their responsibility and the trust placed in them by the staff. That Gabriel stepped forward for the decisive moment speaks to character as much as to training ground repetition. Around the final there was outside chatter about refereeing calls and praise for PSG’s resilience under Luis Enrique, who has now overseen back‑to‑back European crowns for the French champions. Yet within Arsenal’s camp, the focus remained on accountability and the bigger picture: a season that restored domestic supremacy and pushed Europe’s elite to the wire. The off‑season will be short and the lessons immediate. Arsenal’s penalty work, leadership group, and set‑piece routines will all be reviewed, not to apportion blame but to sharpen edges for another tilt at the summit. With Arteta’s clarity and Rice’s voice echoing unity, the Gunners leave Budapest with heartbreak, yes, but also with a sturdier belief that this group’s ceiling remains sky‑high.