Gabriel shirt sales rocket as Arsenal fans send message of support after penalty miss

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Sales of Arsenal shirts with Gabriel 's name on the back increased by a seismic 350 per cent in response to the popular defender's missed penalty in the Champions League final.

Gabriel and Eberechi Eze failed to score in a penalty shootout after the Gunners and Paris Saint-Germain could not be separated during both regulation and extra-time. With Arsenal needing to score to stay in the game, Gabriel stepped up for the decisive fifth penalty, but sent his effort over the crossbar to hand victory to PSG .

The 28-year-old was immediately consoled by Marquinhos before his team-mates approached as Arsenal's stars came up short in their bid to conquer Europe for the first time.

But fans have shown their class by making the Brazilian's name the most popular on sold shirts over the weekend in a massive show of support, per The Athletic .

The report even notes that Gabriel's sales briefly doubled that of all other shirts which were sold as fans prepared to celebrate at a parade to mark the club's first Premier League title in 22 years.

Declan Rice sang the praises of both Gabriel and Eze in the immediate aftermath of Saturday evening's defeat in Budapest. He told TNT Sports: “They (Gabriel and Eze) are devastated to miss a penalty in the Champions League final.

“It is not nice. But we love them, we are with them, and that happens in football. They are not going to be the last players to miss penalties in finals. Everyone has missed a penalty, and without those two this season, we wouldn’t have won the Premier League, that is for sure.

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“I’ve run out of words for Gabriel, as a person, as a player. Eze as well. The crucial goals he has come up with this year. It is cruel, but it’s football.”

Gabriel, who has grown into one of Arsenal's most consistent and influential players, spoke for the first time since his penalty miss shortly before Sunday's parade. He wrote on Instagram : “It's painful, but I’m proud of this team and everything we achieved together this season.

“Thank you to our incredible fans for your support every step of the way. You deserve to celebrate this journey with us and enjoy the parade today! See you next season!!! Love, Big Gabi.”

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