Arsenal defender Gabriel makes vow over Champions League final woe: 'If I had another penalty, I'm going to take it'

Gabriel will face old club Lille on Tuesday as Arsenal continue their campaign to win the Champions League for the first time. • Last Update: 10 minutes ago•2 min read Arsenal defender Gabriel would not hesitate to take another penalty in a Champions League final despite missing the decisive spot-kick in their defeat to Paris Saint-Germain last season.

Gabriel blazed his effort over the crossbar as PSG retained the title on penalties after thefinalended 1-1 after extra time. The Gunners started their campaign to go one better with a 1-0 win at Napoli last month and, before Tuesday's visit from his former club, Lille, Gabriel made it clear he would step up again should they find themselves in another shootout on the biggest stage in European football.

"In a final, anything can happen," Gabriel told a pre-match press conference. "In the Champions League, of course if I had another penalty I'm going to be there to take it.

My team-mates helped me a lot after this. I was sad - I don't want to miss a penalty - but I've learned from this and if I have another opportunity I'm there to take it.

We are really happy to be in the Champions League again. We want to keep the momentum; last year, we did really well.

It's an opportunity for us again to attack the Champions League. We are very motivated - we want to attack every trophy - and tomorrow we are going to have another opportunity to play in the Champions League and at home in front of our people.

Arsenal bounced back from their 3-0 defeat at Brighton and Hove Albion immediately before the international break by coming from behind tobeat Leeds United2-1 at home on Saturday. They remain three points behind leaders Manchester City, and Gabriel is satisfied with how Mikel Arteta's men have begun the season.

It's how we want to be - we have a good mentality every game. We started the season really strong so we need to keep pushing and keep believing in us.

And he is relishing the visit of Lille, whom he left in 2020 to join Arsenal. It's going to be a very special day for me," said Gabriel.