Arsenal defender Gabriel has admitted he dreams of playing for Corinthians and would quit the Gunners in a heartbeat to join the Brazilian outfit.
The 26-year-old defender has established himself as a key member of Arsenal’s side since joining from Lille in 2020. This season he featured in 36 Premier League games as Mikel Arteta’s side finished runners-up to Manchester City for the second consecutive season.
But despite the Brazilian forming a formidable partnership with William Saliba at the Emirates Stadium and conceding the fewest goals in the Premier League last season, Gabriel has revealed he dreams of returning to Brazil and signing for Corinthians, who he supported as a kid.
“It’s something to think about. Sometimes I stop and think, ‘Do you dream of playing for Corinthians?’ I do. ‘When would you play for Corinthians?’ For me, I’d be at Corinthians tomorrow,” said Gabriel.
“I hope it doesn’t take too long because I want to feel the energy of those fans, who are incredible, as soon as possible.”
Gabriel has not been linked with a move away from North London and has three years remaining on his contract with the Gunners after penning a new deal in October 2022.
In February, Arteta was full of praise for Gabriel’s development since moving to the Emirates four years ago: “His role in the team has grown,” he said. “His personal life is also very different to the one he had before with his family and his language. He also changed a lot of things in his life and improved his mentality.
“He can decide what he wants to be and I think he made the right call to take the direction he took.”
