Henry: Champions League final loss is bitter, but Arsenal still had a great season

  /  autty

After the Champions League final defeat, Arsenal legend Henry stated that this season was "still a great season" for Arsenal.

In this final, Arsenal lost 3-4 to Paris Saint-Germain in the final penalty shootout. In regular time, Dembélé's goal cancelled out Havertz's early strike, and the two sides went to a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw.

Henry defended his former club in an interview with CBS Sports, saying: "I'm hurting right now. It's very bitter to see my team fail. Many people don't want to accept failure, but I don't think this is a failure. To reach the Champions League final with the best teams in Europe and fight to a penalty shootout, as well as winning the Premier League, this is a great season for Arsenal Football Club."

He pointed out that Arsenal had contained the reigning champions well in the first half, but the game turned in the 64th minute when Mosquera fouled Kvaratskhelia in the box, and Dembélé subsequently converted the penalty.

Henry continued: "You just lost to a very good team, you pushed them to their limits. But failure can also help you grow, so feel it, but don't dwell on it, we'll be back."

He also specifically comforted Gabriel, who missed the crucial penalty, saying: "As long as you dare to take a penalty, I will always respect you. He played very well all season and tonight, he didn't shy away, he stepped up."

Henry also brought the Champions League trophy onto the pitch before the match and participated in the pre-match ceremony.

His former Arsenal teammate Keown also expressed support for Gabriel, calling him his "favorite Arsenal player" and believing that he performed excellently throughout the match and should not be questioned for missing the penalty, while emphasizing that he is one of the team's important leaders.

Keown also said that Arsenal has made significant progress under coach Arteta and believes that the pain the team gained from this defeat will become motivation: "This team still has a lot of potential, and they need to bring this energy to their next Champions League journey."

Related: Arsenal Paris Saint-Germain Thierry Henry Gabriel
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