At a Glance:
- Gabriel Magalhaes failed to convert the penalty that saw Arsenal lose the Champions League final.
- Gabriel’s short sales have increased as a result
- Declan Rice says that the Arsenal squad is behind Gabriel
Arsenal fell to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final in heartbreaking fashion, with Gabriel Magalhaes unable to convert the Gunners’ final penalty kick of the game, and therefore handing their French opponents the trophy.
There was consensus post-game that Gabriel should keep his head held high, with Rio Ferdinand stating that the Brazilian should hold no ‘shame’ over his miss, crediting his performance throughout regular and extra time as a strong one.
Gabriel made a post on Instagram that referenced his disappointment, and it seems like not only Arsenal fans, but the wider football community, rallied around in support of him.
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Gabriel Magalhaes’ shirt sales up by 350% as Arsenal fans show support
The Athletic has reported that Arsenal shirts with Gabriel on the back have increased by more than three times over, or more specifically, 350%, since May 30, the date of the Champions League final.
It is not specified how many jerseys specifically have been sold with Gabriel and the accompanying number 6 on the back, but it has also been confirmed that at one point his jersey was selling more than double that of the next highest-selling player.
Gabriel is one of Arsenal’s most important players and started in 11 out of 15 of the Gunners’ European games, while also being a crucial player within Arsenal’s Premier League title triumph.
He was not the only player who missed a penalty in the final as Arsenal’s Parisian opponents won the shootout 4-3, with Eberechi Eze also failing to score his spotkick earlier on.
Declan Rice says that all the Arsenal players still ‘love’ Gabriel despite costly slip-up
As is the nature with football, some of the sport’s best players can always make mistakes. But Declan Rice’s show of support for Gabriel and fellow penalty misser Eberechi Eze show that despite the loss, Arsenal are still very much a united side.
“They (Gabriel and Eze) are devastated to miss a penalty in the Champions League final.
“It is not nice [to go through that as a player]. But we love them, we are with them, and that happens in football. They are not going to be the last players to miss penalties in finals. Everyone has missed a penalty, and without those two this season, we wouldn’t have won the Premier League, that is for sure…it is cruel, but it’s football.”
