“It was a bit difficult for him” - Gabriel sheds light on Arsenal teammate’s struggle this season

Gabriel has opened up about how his Arsenal central defensive partner William Saliba overcame a few hurdles after missing the final stretch of last season.

Saliba and Gabriel have forged a strong partnership that has seen the north Londoners concede the fewest goals in the Premier League this season (26). However, the Brazilian revealed that it was indeed challenging for his French partner, who saw other players take his position last year.

Speaking about Saliba, with whom Gabriel has shared the pitch 74 times across competitions and recorded a joint goal contribution, the 26-year-old told TNT Sport (via Mirror):

"It was difficult for us (when Saliba got injured) because we were playing every match together, and of course things change when other players come in.

"It was a bit difficult for him, but now that's gone. We know we're good and we must continue like that. We've got five games left and we must continue together all season, because if we win those five matches, there are great things to come."

Adding about how the pair's relationship has progressed since last season, Gabriel said:

"Last season it was our first one together. Already it was good, we understand each other very well on the pitch. This year I was sure if we have people together it will go better, because we work a lot, talk a lot, so that helps us.

"I think that this year, we also have a lot of confidence. We each have confidence in each other, confidence in any player that plays. So that's good for us."

This central defensive partnership has helped Arsenal to the top of the league standings, where they are ahead of second-placed Liverpool on goal difference.

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When Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta joked about knowing that the William Saliba and Gabriel partnership would be perfect

Gabriel (left) and William Saliba

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was recently asked whether he had imagined that Gabriel and William Saliba would forge one of the best central defensive partnerships in the league.

The question came soon after the duo kept a clean sheet at the Etihad on March 31 and allowed Manchester City just one attempt on target. Responding to this query, Arteta said (via talkSPORT):

"When I decided with Edu to send Willy to Marseille. In that moment. No I'm just joking."

After signing Saliba from Saint-Etienne for £27 million, the French defender completed loan spells with the aforementioned side, Nice and Marseille. He waited till August 2022 to make his Arsenal debut.