Arsenal: Gabriel didn’t deserve any more than what he got

Gabriel has revealed his belief that he deserved more of a chance at Arsenal. However, Arsene Wenger gave him exactly what his ability vindicated. He deserved nothing more than what he got.

Arsene Wenger, for all his faults and his flaws, is a fair manager. In fact, he may be too fair. He is patient with his players, he provides with ample time to prove themselves. He treats them as humans, not simply commodities as a means to improving his team. It has been both a help and hindrance for Arsenal.

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It is therefore rare to hear of former players questioning the opportunities that they were given while under Wenger’s management. He is a well-liked and well-respected manager. Criticism, while from the fans and media is frequent, from those who have worked with and under him, is hard to find.

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So it was somewhat surprising to hear Gabriel Paulista, who was sold to Valencia in the latest summer transfer window, malign the lack of chances that he felt he was afforded while with the Gunners, questioning whether it was fair of Wenger to manage him in such a manner. Speaking with Sky Sports, this is what he had to say:

"“I deserved more of an opportunity. Sometimes I played because my team-mates were injured. I did play and sometimes even after playing well, I’d go home sad, given that I was only playing because my team-mate was injured. I don’t think I deserved that. I think I had the ability to play and to start games because I deserved to do so, or because I did well in training, but that didn’t happen.”"

Unfortunately for Gabriel, it is a position that I believe few others hold. When he arrived at the club, he was the clear second fiddle to Per Mertesacker to partner Laurent Koscielny; when he left the club, he was the clear second fiddle to Shkodran Mustafi, to partner the very same Frenchman.

And in his leaving, Wenger was able to open up opportunities for younger, more talented defenders, who still have the potential to develop into the future of the Arsenal defence, not merely rotational squad players, which is all that Gabriel could ever have really been.

Perhaps it was tough to only come in when injuries or suspensions struck. I can see how it was difficult for him to be in and out the team, featuring so inconsistently, rarely given the confidence and comfort to play regularly.

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But football is a ruthless world. Competition is high and demand is low. Gabriel was no longer needed at Arsenal. There are younger and better alternatives. He may bemoan Wenger’s management of him, but he got exactly what his talent deserved. I wish him well, but his comments are off the mark, here.