Thierry Henry praises Arsenal’s ‘great era’ despite the disappointment.

Thierry Henry, Arsenal legend, speaks out in defense of the club following the bitter defeat in the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain, which ended in a penalty shootout loss of 4-3. Despite the cruel outcome, the former French striker insists that this was a “great season” for the Gunners, who came within a whisker of winning the coveted European trophy for the first time in their history.

“I don’t like to see this as a failure, because it’s not. It was a great season for Arsenal Football Club,” Henry told CBS Sports exclusively, highlighting the quality of the team managed by Mikel Arteta. The Londoners led for an hour of the match in Budapest, thanks to an early goal from Kai Havertz, but eventually succumbed to the pressure of the defending champions. In the 64th minute, a penalty conceded by Cristhian Mosquera on Khvicha Kvaratskhelia allowed Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé to equalize and force a penalty shootout.

Henry praised his former team’s commitment: “They faced an exceptional team and pushed us to the limit. Losing helps you win, so it’s important to feel that, but without letting it consume you. We’ll come back stronger.”

At 48 years old, the former forward, who was the symbol of the Gunners in their last European final two decades ago—where they lost 2-1 to a Barcelona team featuring Ronaldinho, Eto’o, and Henrik Larsson—also expressed solidarity with defender Gabriel, who missed the penalty that decided the title. “I will always have respect for anyone who steps up to take a penalty. The way he played throughout the season and tonight was immense. He missed the penalty, but he went up there, he didn’t hide,” commented Henry, highlighting the Brazilian’s courage in decisive moments.

This final marked an intense chapter in Arsenal’s history, which, despite the disappointment, can take pride in its remarkable journey and evident evolution. Thierry Henry, the club’s greatest icon, not only acknowledges the team’s value but also issues a warning: Arsenal will return to fight for the top of Europe with even greater ambition.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.