Arteta: Gabriel volunteered for the fifth penalty; PSG forced us to defend in certain areas

After leading the team to a penalty shootout loss against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final, finishing as runners-up, Arsenal head coach Arteta attended the press conference.

Hi Mikel, it’s okay, let’s just chat. What are your initial thoughts?

Well, when you get so close to winning a competition, just a few penalties away from winning the greatest club competition in football, that's how we feel right now.

In 2006, it felt like it would take Arsenal a long time to get back to that position, but this time it feels like you'll get back to this position faster than that. Do you feel the same way?

I don't know, we have to earn that position through hard work. Just like the progress we've made in the past few years, we have to start all over again. And the competitive level is improving every season. We performed very well in this competition; we didn't even lose a single game throughout the tournament. But the reality is that when certain things needed to go our way, especially our performance in the box, including the penalty awarded against Mosquera, the penalty not awarded to Madueke, and the final penalty shootout, those small margins did not favor us.

Hi Mikel, I know you're feeling a lot of pain right now, but is there also a sense of pride mixed with that pain? Because you came so close to success, and before that penalty, it seemed certain you wouldn't concede...

Of course. What I told the players and the coaching staff is that even if I thanked them a million times, it wouldn't be enough to express my gratitude. This is not just because we won the Premier League title, nor just because we participated in cup finals, nor just because we participated in the Champions League final in this way, but because of the joy and moments we shared every day, which are above everything else.

Hi Mikel, can I ask about the penalty takers? Gabriel unfortunately missed the fifth penalty, but he performed exceptionally well. I know you had to substitute some regular penalty takers, so how did he become the fifth taker? Did he volunteer, or how was it arranged?

He wanted to take the fifth one. Obviously, we had prepared and trained for this. Normally, the penalty takers would be Bukayo (Saka), Martin (Ødegaard), and of course Kai (Havertz). We knew that if the game went into extra time and a penalty shootout, the penalty takers would be different players, but still of high quality. When you see Gabriel taking penalties in training, he never misses. But at that moment, you have to take that responsibility. We were unlucky that we didn't have the same accuracy and efficiency as them, and that's why we didn't win.

Hi Mikel, your team has proven in the Premier League that they know how to deal with this disappointment, how to use this pain to motivate themselves to keep moving forward and attack again. Is this something they now need to replicate in European competitions, in the Champions League?

Yes, first you have to experience that pain, digest it, and as you said, turn it into fuel to improve yourself and reach a different level. Because with the overall strength increasing across Europe, this will require a different level. I want to congratulate Paris Saint-Germain, especially Luis (Enrique), because in my opinion, they are the best team in the world. Their performance when in possession and their individual actions are something I've never seen before. Our original plan was not to defend in certain areas when out of possession, but they forced you to do so, so more credit to our players.

Hi Mikel, you just mentioned that penalty. Do you feel it was a bit unfair to you? Considering they got a penalty, and you feel Arsenal should have gotten one too?

That’s the contrast. In the last 72 hours, I watched all the penalties in this competition to understand what is a penalty and what isn't, and that one could easily have been called a penalty.

Mikel, following up on that question, I mean, that penalty could have won Arsenal the game, even the final. It must be very frustrating if that's not the case?

That's how it is, it didn't happen, and that's it. We need to do better, we have to improve and find different small margins to get the results we want.

Hi Mikel, you mentioned Paris Saint-Germain is the best team in the world, and what they can do. Is this what you are now pursuing in terms of team evolution? Perhaps more fluidity and freedom?

Yes, and the individual actions they have, that is indeed the general direction. Then you have to play when all players are available and when every player is at their best. We had many more available players this season than last season, but for various reasons, not all players were at that peak level, which is also something we need to improve on.

Hi Mikel, after such a long season, what will you do in the next few days after the parade? Will you completely relax, or are you already thinking about reviewing and planning for next season?

First, I will spend a few days with my family. Then, the team will start reviewing the process of what we have done and begin making some very important decisions. If we want to reach another level, we must show this ambition, because we are fully capable of doing so, but this will require us to be very ambitious, responsive, and very intelligent.

A million people will be waiting for you in London tomorrow. What will you say to them to make them do what you want?

I want to thank all the fans on behalf of the team for supporting us through this season. We've had lows and difficult moments, and they've always been incredible. When we won the Premier League title again after 22 years, seeing them made us truly proud. Obviously, the feeling now is very painful, painful for us and for them, because we couldn't bring the trophy home. I can't even imagine what it would have been like if we had brought the trophy home, but tomorrow will still be a great day.

What about Madueke's situation?

For me, I think I have already answered this question, I have given my opinion, so I don't want to repeat it.