Arteta Hails Gabriel For Defending Himself Against Bat-Wielding Thieves

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta praised Gunners defender Gabriel Magalhaes for his “character” after he fought off a baseball bat-wielding robber at his home.

The 23-year-old centre-back was followed home by two robbers who attempted to steal his car, watch and phone back in August. He tussled with one assailant, who amid the scuffle dropped his hat, from which DNA evidence led to a conviction last month.

Gabriel missed the opening three Premier League games of the season with a knee injury but has played the full 90 minutes in each of the subsequent 10, with Arsenal winning seven and drawing two of those fixtures.

Arteta, speaking ahead of Arsenal’s game against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Thursday, commended Gabriel for his response.

“Obviously it is not a nice thing to go through when you have family involved and they are trying to access your house,” Arteta said. “Gabi showed a lot of character, you see the reaction he had straight away. Credit to the boy. After that he was fine.

“Obviously, he was shocked, there were a few things he wanted to change in his life to try to prevent those things happening and the club gave him all the support that was needed to try to forget about the situation, learn from it and move on.”

Arteta will be hoping left-sided central defender Gabriel can help Arsenal repeat their Old Trafford heroics from last season – when the Gunners won 1-0 as part of a solid defensive unit that has conceded just eight goals in the 10 league games he has played in this season.

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