How Gabriel was convinced to join Arsenal

Arsenal’s new boy Gabriel Magalhaes has gotten off to a dream start to life at Arsenal.

Man of the match awards, goals, clean sheets, praise from pundits he is having it all and it does look like a stellar bit of business from Mikel Arteta and co to bring him to the Emirates.

He was being widely chased all around Europe and there were some major English teams as well who were interested in picking him up for their club. So why did Gabriel choose Arsenal?

Well according to Pepe, his former Lille team-mate and fellow compatriot David Luiz – Gabriel listened to their advice and joined the Gunners.

“Yes, I did speak to him quite a lot before he came here,” Pepe said. “I recommended to him that it would be a good idea at the time and we did need a new defender. He would be able to play.

“He’s come in, he’s confident. Also, David Luiz spoke to him, he speaks French and Portuguese so it’s quite easy for him.”