Arsenal defender Gabriel says the team are “ready for a big battle” as they prepare to face Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday.
“It’s a really good feeling for this club to be in the final against a top team,” he said. “We have a good feeling and we can’t wait for Sunday.”
The 28-year-old Brazil international called upon the Arsenal fans to rally in support of the team at Wembley. “We need to push our fans to be behind us,” he told reporters ahead of Sunday’s match. “In a game like that, they can help us a lot.”
For Gabriel, the approach remains unchanged despite the magnitude of the fixture. “We want to win every game we play,” he said. “We know it’s going to be a big battle, but we are ready and we’ll try to win.”
Gabriel signed for Arsenal from Lille in September 2020, so missed out on their last trophy — the team lifted the FA Cup at the end of the preceding season. He is determined to give his all to bring silverware back to the Emirates Stadium.
“I’m a defender, so I need to bring energy for my teammates and for our fans,” he explained. “I give everything when I’m on the pitch. I try to push everyone.”
Gabriel said his style has been shaped by studying some of the game’s finest centre-backs.
“I’ve watched a lot of defenders before,” he explained. “I learn a lot from players like Maldini, Cannavaro, Lucio, Thiago Silva and Marquinhos.”
Sunday will see him lock horns once again with City striker Erling Haaland — and Gabriel is relishing the challenge.
Gabriel and Haaland have duelled in the past (Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
“I enjoy every game, every striker,” he said. “It’s my job, so I like to battle. He is a top player, and I think he likes to play against me as well. It’s fun— we enjoy it.”
Arsenal head into the final having just fallen short of securing major honours in recent seasons, and Gabriel believes those experiences have hardened the squad.
“We learned a lot in the past. We worked very hard,” he said. “The last three years we didn’t get it, but I think this year we started well. We are in a good moment. We just need to keep doing what we’re doing.”
“We finished second. We tried. Other teams are top teams too, with good players who have played together for years.”
Gabriel’s commitment was underlined during the first leg of Arsenal’s Champions League round of 16 tie against Bayer Leverkusen, when he blocked a goal-bound shot with his neck.
“I couldn’t breathe after that block, but I try to do my best and give everything for this badge,” he said.
That aggressive style has led team-mates to joke about alternative careers for the centre-back. Martin Odegaard suggested in another life Gabriel could be a UFC fighter; Bukayo Saka believes he could have been a security guard.
Now in one of the best periods of his career, Gabriel is aware of growing recognition but remains grounded. “I think this is my best season,” he said. “But I don’t listen too much to talk about things like Player of the Year. I need to stay humble and keep doing what I’m doing.”
Set pieces have been a cornerstone of Arsenal’s success this season, and Gabriel’s threat in those situations is unrivalled.
“Attack the ball — simple!” he said when asked about his success from set pieces. “When we have a set piece, I put it in my head: I want to score and help my team.”
Gabriel has earned a reputation for celebrating victories on social media. After the 4-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur in the north London derby last month, he tagged Spurs striker Richarlison in an Instagram post, holding up a four of hearts playing card.
“I remember things — that’s why,” he said. “Football is beautiful because what they do, we can do as well.
“Like Richarlison, he’s my friend. When we lost against them in pre-season, they posted a picture. And now we see it in the Premier League.
“It’s in my mind — I don’t forget. But it’s nothing personal.”
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