Arsenal legend Thierry Henry defended his former team after losing to Paris Saint-Germain on penalties in the Champions League final.
Arsenal’s all-time leading goalscorer has chosen to focus on the positives after the north London side failed to register a first ever victory in Europe’s elite club competition.
“People don’t like to embrace failure, and this is not a failure, it’s a great season for Arsenal Football Club,” the Frenchman told CBS Sports.
Mikel Arteta’s men were beaten 4-3 in a penalty shootout but led the defending champions for an hour into the game after Kai Havertz gave Arsenal an early advantage in Budapest.
However, PSG’s pressure was eventually evident in the 64th minute when Christian Mosquera brought down Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in the penalty area, and Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé headed home the resulting penalty.
Henry added: “I failed against a great team, I pressured them all the way.”
“But failure helps you win so make sure you feel it and don’t hold onto it too much but we’ll be back.”
“Much respect” to Gabriel
Henry knows what it’s like to be on the losing team in the Champions League final.
The former striker was Arsenal’s talisman when the club last reached this stage of the competition 20 years ago, losing 2-1 to a Barcelona side that included the likes of Ronaldinho, Samuel Eto’o and Henrik Larsson.
The 48-year-old offered words of support for defender Gabriel, who missed the decisive penalty to give Luis Enrique’s side victory.
“When you go and take a penalty, I will always respect you,” Henry said.
“The way he played all season, how he played tonight, was tremendous.
“I missed the penalty but he went, though, he didn’t hide.”
