boss Mikel Arteta was full of praise for defender Gabriel after the Brazilian bagged the winner in the Gunners’ 2-1 win against Fulham on Saturday.
The centre-back made amends for an earlier mistake when he bundled home a winner just four minutes from time against the Cottagers to maintain the side’s 100% start to the season.
The Brazilian has formed a good partnership with William Saliba so far this season, with Arteta pairing the duo together in every match so far.
Gabriel’s ability has never been in doubt but his application has been, with Arteta suggesting in the past that the defender needs to mature.
And, speaking after Gabriel’s winner, Arteta was quick to praise the Brazilian for working on his mentality and ‘looking after himself’.
‘Gabriel has shifted his life, the way he looks after himself,’ Arteta told the BBC.
‘He has enough physically and mentally to overcome those situations and I’m so happy for him.’
Speaking to Sky Sports, Arteta said: ‘It shows his character and how far he has come across. His mentality and the way he looks after himself I am really happy.
‘Now it is onto the next one. We have another two games this week we have to prepare and recover well. Every game in this league is so demanding.
‘Really physical and really quality teams with top coaches that make every game difficult.’
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