It was the moment that ended Arsenal's dream of becoming champions of Europe, and now the man at the centre of it has spoken.
With the match locked at 1-1, Gabriel Magalhaes stepped up to take Arsenal's fifth penalty in the Champions League final shoot-out against Paris Saint Germain, needing to score to keep the Gunners alive. He skied his effort over the crossbar, handing PSG back-to-back Champions League titles and leaving Arsenal to relive the pain they felt when Barcelona beat them 2-1 two decades ago.
For the opening hour, everything went to plan. Kai Havertz gave Arsenal the dream start, smashing in an opener on the break after just six minutes to send the red half of Budapest into raptures. The Gunners were disciplined, organised and dangerous on the counter, exactly as Arteta has always set them up to be.
The holders of the trophy equalised on the 65-minute mark. Ousmane Dembele converted from the spot after Cristhian Mosquera fouled Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Arsenal’s fury then grew during extra time, when a perceived foul on Noni Madueke by Nuno Mendes was waved away by referee Daniel Siebert.
With neither side able to find a winner, the tie went to penalties. Eberechi Eze missed first for Arsenal, before David Raya kept the Gunners in it by saving from Mendes. But when Gabriel's decisive kick soared into the Budapest sky, the match was over.
Gabriel Addresses Arsenal Fans Ahead of Premier League Title Parade
gabriel magalhaes arsenal premier league
Despite the heartbreak, Arsenal's players had reason to come together, with the club's Premier League title parade taking place the very next day. And that proved to be the moment that Gabriel took to Instagram to break his silence on the penalty miss.
“It’s painful, but I’m proud of this team and everything we achieved together this season. Thank you to our incredible fans for your support every step of the way. You deserve to celebrate this journey with us and enjoy the parade today! See you next season!!! Love, Big Gabi”
It was a message that struck the right note. Honest about the hurt, but not wallowing in it, a reminder that for all the agony of Budapest, this Arsenal side have just delivered their first league title in 22 years and reached a Champions League final for only the second time in the club's history.
Gabriel himself has been a cornerstone of everything Arteta had built at the back, and his willingness to step up and take the fifth penalty, knowing the pressure that came with it, said something important about his character even if the outcome wasn’t what anyone connected with Arsenal had hoped for.
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Arsenal's Road to the Champions League Final
Desire Doue (L) of PSG challenges William Saliba (R) of Arsenal in the Champions League final
The scale of Arsenal's achievement this season deserves to be recognised, even amid the disappointment of falling at the final hurdle. Their Champions League campaign was, for the most part, nothing short of outstanding.
A perfect eight from eight in the league phase, with just four goals conceded, set the tone for what came. They were organised and clinical in equal measure, and the knockout rounds only reinforced that impression. Bayer Leverkusen, Sporting Lisbon and Atletico Madrid were all dispatched in the knockout rounds without Arsenal suffering a single defeat.
So, losing on penalties in a final, after leading and then being denied what many felt was a legitimate penalty claim in extra time, is about as cruel as football can be. But this Arsenal squad is young, hungry and built to compete at this level for years to come.
Budapest hurt. But it doesn’t have to be the end of the story.