Gabriel Magalhaes ready to take another penalty after Champions League final miss

Gabriel Magalhaes says he would be prepared to take another penalty for Arsenal after admitting he was hurt by missing in last season’s Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain.

The Arsenal defender missed the club’s final spot-kick as Paris Saint-Germain won the trophy. Speaking at a news conference before Arsenal’s Champions League meeting with Lille, Gabriel said the experience had been difficult but had also taught him an important lesson.

“I felt sad. I do not want to miss a penalty, but I learned from what happened,” he said. “If I get another opportunity, I will be ready to take it.”

Gabriel also welcomed Arsenal’s return to the competition and said the team wanted to build on the progress made during the previous campaign.

“We are very happy to be playing in the Champions League again,” he said. “We want to maintain the momentum because we performed really well last year. It is another opportunity for us to compete for the title.”

Arsenal have made a strong start to the current season, and Gabriel believes their approach has been central to that form.

“This is how we want to be,” he said. “We have a good mentality in every match and we started the season very strongly. I think we need to keep applying pressure and continue believing in ourselves.”

The Lille fixture could see Gabriel face former Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud, who now plays for the French club. Gabriel has not previously played against the forward but says his focus will remain on securing victory.

“I have never played against him,” he said. “I know he was a great player when he was at Arsenal, but it does not matter who I face. All I want is to win.

“I will be happy if he plays. He is a great striker, and we know about his career and what he has achieved.”

Gabriel also praised new Arsenal team-mate Ezri Konsa, who joined the club from Aston Villa during the summer transfer window.

“It is great to have him at Arsenal,” Gabriel said. “I think he adapted very quickly and he is a top player. I will enjoy playing with him.

“We certainly have the best defenders at Arsenal and we are trying to raise the level of the team.”

Reflecting on his own development since arriving at Arsenal, Gabriel said Mikel had played a major role in helping him improve.

“I think I have changed a lot since I arrived at Arsenal,” he said. “I think Mikel is a key figure for us. He helps me every day at this club and is always trying to push me to be at my best.

“As I said, he is a key figure for me, and I am here and enjoying my time here.”