UCL: ‘I feel sorry for him, best player’ – Schmeichel pities Arsenal star after defeat to PSG

Manchester United legend, Peter Schmeichel, has said that he felt particularly ‘sorry’ for Arsenal defender, Gabriel, as the Brazilian was the ‘best player on the pitch’ during the Champions League final loss to PSG.

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Gabriel’s penalty, which soared over the bar, confirmed PSG’s position as European champions for another year and meant Arsenal fell short in their first Champions League final since 2006.

The Gunners were striving to achieve a remarkable double after securing the Premier League title and took the lead within seven minutes thanks to Kai Havertz’s excellent finish.

Although PSG did not create many clear-cut opportunities, they were generally in control from that point onward and equalised shortly after half-time, with Ousmane Dembele scoring from the penalty spot after Cristhian Mosquera fouled Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

The match concluded 1-1 after 90 and 120 minutes, and PSG maintained their composure in the shootout, with Gabriel missing the target after Arsenal teammate Eberechi Eze also failed to score.

Schmeichel, the Manchester United icon, felt ‘so sorry’ for Gabriel, stating that the Brazilian centre-back was the ‘best player on the pitch’ until the penalty shootout.

‘It came down to penalties, and it could have gone either way,’ Schmeichel, who won the Champions League in 1999, said on CBS Sports, “I feel immense sympathy for Gabriel because I believed he was exceptional, the best player on the pitch.

“His defensive performance was outstanding. For him to be the one who missed the final penalty that determined the outcome, I feel deeply sorry for him.”

When asked if it was a mistake for Gabriel to take Arsenal’s fifth penalty, Schmeichel responded, “I don’t think you can say that, I think that’s a bit of an insult because of course he can kick a ball, this is a top player.

“But that is pressure, he knows he has to score and if he doesn’t PSG will win…”