Thierry Henry hails ‘great season’ for Arsenal despite Champions League heartache

An Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has defended his former club after they were beaten on penalties by Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final.

The gunnersThe all-time top goalscorer chose to focus on the positives after the north Londoners failed to achieve what would have been a first triumph in the history of Europe’s elite club competition.

« People don’t like to embrace failure and it’s not a failure, it’s been a great season for Arsenal Football Club, » the Frenchman told CBS Sports.

Mikel Arteta’s men were beaten 4-3 on penalties but gave the defending champions the lead within an hour of the match after Kai Havertz gave the Gunners an early advantage in Budapest.

However, PSG’s pressure eventually paid off in the 64th minute when Christian Mosquera brought down Hvica Kvaratskhelia in the box and Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele converted the resulting penalty.

« You couldn’t handle an outstanding team, you pushed them to the limit, » added Henry.

« But failure helps you win, so make sure you feel it and don’t keep it too much, but we’ll be back. »

« Great respect » to Gabriel

Henry knows what it feels like to be in the team that loses a Champions League final.

The former striker was Arsenal’s talisman when the club last reached this stage of the competition 20 years ago, where they were beaten 2-1 by a Barcelona side boasting the likes of Ronaldinho, Samuel Eto’o and Henrik Larsson.

And the 48-year-old offered words of support to defender Gabriel, who missed the decisive spot-kick to give Luis Enrique’s side victory.

Henry said: “When you go and take a penalty, I will always have respect for you.

“The way he played all season and the way he played tonight, it was just amazing.

« You missed the penalty but he went but didn’t hide. »