Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice has thrown his support behind teammates Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Magalhães following their missed penalties in the UEFA Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.

The Gunners came agonisingly close to securing European glory before eventually losing in a penalty shootout after a fiercely contested final ended 1-1 following 120 minutes of football.

Arsenal had taken an early lead through Kai Havertz, whose clinical finish put Mikel Arteta's side in control. However, PSG fought back and levelled through Ousmane Dembélé, forcing extra time and eventually penalties.

The decisive moments came during the shootout when Eze and Gabriel failed to convert their spot-kicks, allowing PSG to retain the Champions League trophy.

Despite the disappointment, Rice was quick to defend his teammates and remind supporters of their importance throughout the season.

"Missing a penalty in a Champions League final isn't nice. But we love them. Look, that happens in football.

"They aren't going to be the last players to miss a penalty in finals.

"Everyone has missed a penalty. Without them two this season, we wouldn't have won the Premier League. It's cruel, but we take the positives."

Leadership in Defeat

Rice's comments reflect the unity within Arsenal's dressing room following one of the most painful defeats in the club's recent history. Rather than allowing blame to fall on individual players, the England international highlighted the collective nature of both success and failure in football.

Eze and Gabriel were key contributors throughout Arsenal's campaign, helping the club compete on multiple fronts and reach the biggest match in European club football.

Opinion: Penalties Should Never Define a Player

Football history is filled with world-class players who have missed crucial penalties. From World Cup finals to Champions League deciders, even the game's greatest stars have experienced similar heartbreak.

What often gets forgotten is that players who step forward to take penalties are accepting enormous pressure on behalf of their teammates. While Eze and Gabriel will undoubtedly be disappointed, their willingness to take responsibility deserves recognition rather than criticism.

Rice's response also sends an important message about leadership. In moments of defeat, strong teams protect their own rather than search for scapegoats. Arsenal may have fallen short in the final, but the midfielder's defence of his teammates highlights a culture that could help the club recover and challenge again next season.

For Eze and Gabriel, the pain of the missed penalties will linger. But as Rice rightly pointed out, without their contributions throughout the campaign, Arsenal might never have reached the Champions League final in the first place.