Former Chelsea captain John Terry says he is hoping that Arsenal defender Gabriel can recover quickly from the penalty miss against PSG in the Champions League final on Saturday.
Like the Brazilian, Terry also missed a crucial spotkick in the 2008 final against Manchester United, and speaking on TikTok, Terry said he knows exactly what he’s going through:
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“I’m feeling for Gabriel, I’ve been there. Trust me, it’s not a good place for the next few days; you’ll feel even worse.”
“But things move on, and you go again next season. I wish him well, and it’s a tough way to lose and miss that last penalty, like I say, I’ve been there, I’ve done it myself, and it’s a horrible feeling.”
“I wish him well. He’s been superb this season, and I hope he understands how good he’s been, and I wish him well for next season.”
Penalties are a lottery
The fact that Gabriel was the one who missed shouldn’t detract from his outstanding season. He played a crucial role in helping the Gunners win the Premier League, as well as reaching the Champions League final.
Manager Mikel Arteta revealed after the match that the centre-back was the one who asked to take it, which says a lot about his character.
Gabriel was willing to take on the responsibility, and while he failed to score, it was just one of those things. Penalty shootouts are won on the finest of margins.
The Arsenal star can’t rest on his laurels
After taking part in the Premier League trophy parade on Sunday following the squad’s return from Budapest, Gabriel will now join up with his international team ahead of the World Cup.
The Brazilian international certainly won’t have much time to dwell on the moment, and fans will hope that he recovers quickly so he can marshal the Gunners’ defence once more next campaign.
Read more about the Arsenal First Team Squad for 2025/26 here