Gabriel appeals for calm ahead of Arsenal v Manchester United

Arsenal’s Brazilian centre half Gabriel has called for calm after his Arsenal team suffered a shock 3-2 home defeat to Olympiacos in the Champions League on Tuesday night. Gabriel was preferred to Per Mertesacker in the starting line up against the Athens side, who had failed to win a game in England in 11 previous […]
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sambafoot_admin
2015-10-01 14:22:00

Arsenal’s Brazilian centre half Gabriel has called for calm after his Arsenal team suffered a shock 3-2 home defeat to Olympiacos in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

Gabriel was preferred to Per Mertesacker in the starting line up against the Athens side, who had failed to win a game in England in 11 previous attempts. But the Brazilian was helpless as the Greeks helped themselves to three goals to leave Arsenal’s Champions League hopes hanging by a thread.

Gabriel told the official Arsenal website"It was a complicated night," he said. "We were in a good place in the first half, defending well, we were happy. But the three goals were our own fault. We only have ourselves to blame for conceding them and now we have to rest, work harder, and then on Sunday come back and have a good game. We just need to be calm. We have to work hard and focus on putting in a good performance against Manchester United."

Laurent Koscielny limped off injured during the second half, which means Gabriel is almost certain to keep his place for Sunday’s home game against Manchester United in the Premier League. He recently served a one match domestic ban for improper conduct following his altercation with compatriot Diego Costa. Speaking ahead of the Manchester United game, Gabriel urged, "We just need to be calm. We have to work hard and focus on putting in a good performance [against Manchester United]. I am sad that we lost an important game at home. But we can still qualify. We have a very strong team, with some very good players. We now have to try to win the remaining matches in the group."

Gabriel will be looking to catch the eye of Dunga again, having lost his place in the Seleção squad to Corinthians centre half Gil for qualifiers against Chile and Venezuela in October.