Gabriel vows to take next penalty after Champions League final heartbreak

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Gabriel has made clear he wants to step up again if Arsenal ever find themselves in another penalty shootout, despite the pain of last season's Champions League final defeat to PSG.

Speaking to Sky Sports, the Brazilian centre back reflected on the shootout heartbreak and left no doubt about his willingness to take responsibility again.

"If there's another penalty, I will take it," Gabriel said, addressing the moment head on rather than shying away from it.

A final that still stings

Arsenal's Champions League final against PSG ended in a penalty shootout, a result that will have been agonising for everyone connected with the club given how close the Gunners came to European glory. Shootouts are often remembered for the misses rather than the journey it took to get there, and Gabriel's comments suggest the defender has not let the outcome dent his confidence from twelve yards.

Taking a penalty in a final, let alone a shootout with the biggest trophy in European club football on the line, is among the most pressure laden moments a player can face. Gabriel's willingness to put himself forward again speaks to the mentality Mikel Arteta has tried to instil throughout the squad, one built on accountability rather than avoidance.

Gabriel's growing influence

Gabriel has established himself as one of the most reliable defenders in the Premier League since joining from Lille, known as much for his composure under pressure as his aerial presence and goal threat from set pieces. His readiness to volunteer for shootout duty again fits a player who has rarely shrunk from big moments in an Arsenal shirt.

The comments come as something of a statement of intent ahead of another season in which Arsenal will hope to go further in Europe. Shootouts are notoriously difficult to prepare for, but having senior players willing to step up without hesitation is often cited as a key factor in whether a team succeeds when it matters most.

Arsenal will be hoping they do not find themselves in a similar situation again this season, but if they do, Gabriel has made it clear he will not be hiding from the spot.