Gabriel exclusive: Last year ‘difficult’ without Saliba but ‘great things’ possible this season

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.

“For example Jakub [Kiwior] came in, he’s a left-sided defender and he came in on the right side. It was a bit difficult for him, but that’s gone now.

“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.

In addition, their overall Expected Goals Against [xGA] number per 90 minutes this season is 0.69, compared to 1.11 in 2022/23.

“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.”

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.

“I really love playing with him, because he has something different. Since arriving he’s helped us a lot.”

And on White, the Brazilian added: “Since Ben arrived at Arsenal, I think he’s been a very good player. He’s a very consistent player, he’s a player that plays every match.

“I think his consistency has grown, he’s not a player that plays a match at one level, and then another match at a different level. He’s always a high level, and I am happy to play with him.”

The goal, of course, is for the Gunners to cap off a hugely impressive couple of seasons by winning a Premier League crown.

They will, though, have to wrest it from the grasp of Guardiola’s City, and Gabriel discussed this ongoing pursuit of their rivals.

He said: “It’s hard, because they’re a team that’s been together a long time. They have players with a lot of quality, and it’s a team that’s always at the top, playing finals.

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“We do our work, we know it’s hard but of course we are happy to be at the top of the league and to play teams like them and to play at their level.”

Chelsea are the next obstacle in a tricky run-in that sees Arsenal also play Tottenham and Manchester United.

Chelsea and Arsenal met in the corresponding fixture on October 21, a 2-2 draw that saw Rice and Leandro Trossard strike late to rescue a point.

“We know tomorrow is going to be a big match,” Gabriel said. “They’re a big team, and they have a lot of players with a lot of quality.

“We must prepare well because it’s not going to be an easy match. It’s a team which puts a lot of quality into the game.”

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