Thierry Henry Questions Arsenal's Penalty Selection After Champions League Final Heartbreak

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has questioned the decision to allow Gabriel Magalhães to take the decisive penalty during the Gunners' heartbreaking UEFA Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.

The North London club fell agonisingly short of European glory in Budapest after losing 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra time.

Kai Havertz had given Arsenal an early lead, but Ousmane Dembélé restored parity from the penalty spot after Cristhian Mosquera brought down Khvicha Kvaratskhelia inside the area.

Despite a determined defensive performance, Mikel Arteta's side were unable to find a winner and the contest was ultimately decided by a dramatic penalty shootout.

Gabriel's Miss Proves Costly

Arsenal's hopes of lifting the Champions League trophy for the first time were ended when Gabriel stepped forward to take the club's fifth penalty.

Needing to score to keep the Gunners alive, the Brazilian defender sent his effort over the crossbar, sparking jubilant celebrations among the PSG players and supporters.

The miss handed the French champions a second consecutive Champions League title and extended Arsenal's long wait for European football's most prestigious prize.

Henry Puzzled by Penalty Decision

Speaking on CBS Sports after the match, former Arsenal striker Henry admitted he was surprised to see Gabriel entrusted with such a crucial spot-kick.

The Frenchman, who was part of the Arsenal side defeated by Barcelona in the 2006 Champions League final, stressed that he respected any player willing to take responsibility in such a high-pressure situation.

"I always have respect for anyone who steps forward to take a penalty," Henry said.

"But I don't know why Gabriel was the one taking it.

"I don't know how the decision was made for him to become the fifth penalty taker, but he took on the responsibility."

Henry was careful not to criticise the defender too harshly, instead highlighting the outstanding season Gabriel has enjoyed.

"He was immense throughout the season and he was excellent again tonight.

"Unfortunately, he missed, but he didn't hide from the responsibility."

Key Figure in Arsenal's Success

Gabriel has been one of Arsenal's most influential players during a campaign that saw the club secure their first Premier League title in 22 years.

The Brazilian centre-back established himself as a major attacking threat from set-pieces while continuing to form one of the strongest defensive partnerships in English football.

His performances throughout the season earned widespread praise and played a significant role in Arsenal's domestic success and impressive run to the Champions League final.

Social Media Reaction

Following the final, Gabriel became the subject of considerable discussion on social media after his decisive miss.

Among those reacting were fellow Brazilian forward Richarlison, who reportedly shared a video of a child laughing, while Manchester City striker Erling Haaland posted a photograph of himself and friends smiling shortly after the shootout concluded.

The online reactions generated mixed responses from supporters, with many Arsenal fans rallying behind Gabriel and highlighting his importance to the club's achievements throughout the season.

Arsenal Left to Reflect

While the defeat will be difficult for Arsenal to accept, the Gunners can still look back on a campaign that delivered significant progress under Arteta.

Winning the Premier League title and reaching only the second Champions League final in the club's history represented major milestones for a team that continues to develop into one of Europe's strongest sides.

However, the painful scenes in Budapest will serve as motivation as Arsenal seek to finally end their long wait for Champions League success in future seasons.