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Arsenal Stars Trudge Home After PSG Final Defeat

Gabriel and Eberechi Eze missed spot kicks as PSG beat Arsenal on penalties in the Champions League final in Budapest.

Arsenal's players were seen leaving their hotel in Budapest on Sunday morning, hours after losing the Champions League final to Paris Saint-Germain on penalties.

Eberechi Eze and Gabriel both missed the target in the shootout, with Gabriel's effort, blazed over the bar, sealing PSG's second successive triumph in the competition. The Brazilian looked at the ground as he headed towards the team bus. Eze appeared in better spirits, giving a peace sign to the cameras outside the hotel.

Manager Mikel Arteta, dressed all in black, was seen wheeling his suitcase to the bus taking the squad to the airport in Hungary. Martin Odegaard, David Raya, Mikel Merino and Leandro Trossard were also pictured looking downcast.

Gabriel (left) looked at the ground as he left the team hotel after the Champions League defeat
Eberechi Eze gave a peace sign to the cameras as he headed towards the team bus

Parade to follow defeat

Arsenal are due to hold a parade later on Sunday afternoon to celebrate their Premier League title win, starting at 2pm. Both the men's and women's teams will take part, with the men's and women's Premier League and FIFA Women's Champions Cup triumphs marked along a five mile loop around Islington in north London.

There was to be no historic double for the club, however, as Luis Enrique's PSG side found a way past Arsenal's defence at the Puskas Arena.

Mikel Arteta and Co were beaten on penalties by PSG in Saturday night's showpiece

How the final unfolded

Kai Havertz put Arsenal ahead just six minutes into the match. The Gunners limited PSG to few clear chances, but the game turned in the second half when Khvicha Kvaratskhelia drew a foul from Cristian Mosquera in the box, and Ousmane Dembele converted the resulting penalty to make it 1-1.

PSG had 75 per cent possession, and Bradley Barcola spurned two chances in extra time to put his side ahead.

David Raya made one save in the shootout but it was not to be for the Gunners

Penalty shootout decides it

David Raya saved Nuno Mendes's penalty, but the misses from Eze and Gabriel proved decisive. Gabriel, the centre-back who has anchored Arsenal's defence all season, took the fifth penalty for the Gunners.

Arteta explained the decision afterward, saying Gabriel had wanted to take it. He said the usual penalty takers would be Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz, but that the team knew different players would have to step forward if the game reached extra time and penalties.

Arsenal remain without a Champions League title in their history.

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