Latest Gunners news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\nOnce known for a free-flowing, almost Barcelona-adjacent passing style of attacking football, in order to reclaim their place among the elite, defending has come to the forefront.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think beautiful football is not only a beautiful pass,\u201d Gabriel said. \u201cBut also when you defend, the way you defend. I try to bring energy to everyone and help my teammates.\u201d<\/p>\n
Energy is certainly an attribute that Gabriel embodies, almost to the point of bursting at the seams at times. He can often be seen turning to the crowd, wildly whipping up the noise, and for the final, given the choice of bringing the temperature down for calmness\u2019 sake, or continuing in the same vein, there was only ever one answer<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it needs to be all the time,\u201d he said with assertion. \u201cWe need to push our fans to be behind us. In a game like that, they can help us a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n
This fire has lived within Gabriel since childhood. He expressed that there was always a passion to lead, to inspire and to defend his house.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, I was,\u201d he said. \u201cWhen I was younger, I was very aggressive. When I played with my friends, they would say, \u2018Hey, calm down, you’re a professional.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u201cBut it’s just like I do every day. We play football, I go to you, it’s just in my mind, I try to defend my house.\u201d<\/p>\n
Trying to break into Gabriel and Arsenal\u2019s house will again be who he believes is the toughest striker in the Premier League, Erling Haaland.<\/p>\n
Yet despite some of the fractious moments between the two, Gabriel believes that the Norwegian goal-getter equally enjoys their meetings.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo be honest, I enjoy every game, every striker,\u201d Gabriel said. \u201cIt is my job, so I like to battle. But he is a top player and, of course, I think he likes to play against me as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
With Arsenal unbeaten against City in their last six meetings, Gabriel has seen his side begin to turn the tide of this rivalry in their favour.<\/p>\n
As a result, he has become considered one of the best in the world, but despite discussions of Player of the Year awards, it seems the infamous words of Haaland himself have indeed resonated and grounded Gabriel.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo be honest, I don’t listen too much to things like this,\u201d he said. \u201cI need to stay humble, and I just need to keep going, keep doing what I’m doing. And of course, I think this season is my best season in Arsenal. I think I just need to stay calm and let’s see what happens in the end.\u201d<\/p>\n