Declan Rice, Ben White and an ever-improving partnership with William Saliba were all on the agenda when Arsenal’s Gabriel spoke to TNT Sports ahead of his side hosting Chelsea in the Premier League on Tuesday. The Brazilian 26-year-old has been part of a record-breaking defensive unit this season, with some remarkable stats underlining why they have been the most stingy outfit in the division.
Gabriel says there are “great things to come” for Arsenal if they can end their Premier League season by winning all their final games, as he discussed how the Gunners’ defensive unit has improved this term.
Ahead of their crunch London derby clash with Chelsea on Tuesday night, live on TNT Sports and discovery+, Mikel Arteta’s men are sitting top of the Premier League pile, and with Manchester City not in action until Thursday, Arsenal have the chance to go four points clear of Pep Guardiola’s team – who would, however, still have two games in hand.
Arsenal go into the final stretch hoping for a clean bill of health, something that wasn’t the case last season as Gabriel’s key defensive partner William Saliba suffered an injury during the loss to Sporting in the UEFA Europa League on March 16.
The Frenchman didn’t make a further appearance in the Premier League as City ultimately took their fifth title in six years.
Sitting down exclusively with TNT Sports at Arsenal’s London Colney training ground, Gabriel – in a wide-ranging conversation – first reflected on how Saliba’s absence affected the side at the back end of the previous campaign.
He said: “It was difficult for us because we were playing every match together, and of course things change when other players come in.
“We know we’re good and we must continue like that. We’ve got five games left [in the league] and we must continue together all season, because if we win those five matches, there are great things to come.”
Gabriel and Saliba have gone from strength to strength in 2023/24, as the Opta numbers demonstrate.
“Last season it was our first one together. Already it was good, we understand each other very well on the pitch,” Gabriel said of his French defensive partner Saliba.
“This year I was sure that if we have people together it will go better, because we work a lot, we talk a lot, so that helps us.
“I think that this year, we also have a lot of confidence. We each have confidence in each other, confidence in any player that plays. So that’s good for us.”
In keeping out Wolves in their previous Premier League encounter, Arsenal set a new club record of six consecutive away games without conceding – all the more remarkable given the club’s long list of distinguished defenders and managers.
Reflecting on how their backline has reached such a level, Gabriel continued: “Last season we were already good. William got injured, but we were good and we spoke a lot among ourselves.
“This year we are good even if we change our left back [or other positions].
“I think also there’s been a lot of work, everything that we work on it’s for defending well. As we play a lot together, we’re understanding each other better and that’s done us good.”
There have been other factors in the defensive improvement too, with Declan Rice’s arrival last summer positively affecting the team’s dynamism, solidity and variety.
And at right back, Ben White has not only been a continually vital component of the back four, but also a marauding presence down the right flank in tandem with Bukayo Saka.
Of Rice, Gabriel said: “He’s a leader. He’s an extraordinary player.
