Arsenal centre-back Gabriel Paulista has revealed that his first instinct is always to protect his team’s goal.
Gabriel joined the Gunners from Villarreal for £11.2 million during the January transfer window (via the Mail) to reinforce their defensive options and he has made an encouraging start to his time in English football.
The 24-year-old has averaged 13 defensive actions per game and won 73% of his duels in the league, both of which are the highest amongst Arsenal’s outfield players.
Gabriel’s recent performances have been rewarded with his first call-up to the Brazil squad for the games against France and Chile.
“The only thing I didn’t try was being a goalkeeper. I stopped there.
“So I started to play in defence and I started to do well, I started to enjoy it. I made my decision, I thought: ‘This it is! I’m not leaving here’.
“I began enjoying it and I started to want to defend, to fight not to let them in, not to let the other team score goals.
“I always have that in my head – to want to defend, and defend well. And that is why.”