Mikel Arteta insists will get enough playing time for this season and claims the defender has been told why he has been left out of the team for the start of the new campaign.
The 25-year-old made 48 appearances in all competitions last term but has started on the bench for Arsenal’s opening two Premier League games this season.
Gabriel was expected to return to the starting line-up against Crystal Palace on Monday evening , however, Arteta opted to continue playing Ben White alongside William Saliba in central defence, while Thomas Partey started at right-back.
Gabriel has been linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League but Arteta is adamant that the Brazilian will feature heavily for Arsenal and believes the defender ‘understands’ why he has not started yet this season.
‘Gabi will play a lot of games, I’m sure and it’s about bringing the competition high and try to make the team play better, better, better and better and be more dominant and win more games. That’s the purpose of all of us,’ Arteta said.
Asked if he has explained the reasons to Gabriel, Arteta replied: ‘Yeah, especially someone that has played a lot of minutes and games with us in the last year.
‘I don’t know if he understands but I told him.
‘I think he understands the reason, whether he agrees or not, that’s something different.
‘But the best way to do it is when you play, just tell me how blind I’m wrong, I am.’
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