Arsenal: 4 key tasks for Gabriel this season

3. Don’t Let Arteta Doubt Him

Mari spoke out last season about the lack of continuity in defence potentially having an impact on performances. Arteta, who has become ‘something’ of a tinkerman (wonder who he got that from) chopped and changed his team regularly, particularly at centre-back.

Luiz, Holding, Gabriel and Mari all shared minutes as the manager regularly went horses for courses.

So much of the selections are down to Arteta’s own preferences, and this season is time for him to put some faith and trust into his £27m man regardless of whether there are mistakes or not, but Gabriel also has to offer his gaffer no reason to think differently.

Consistency in his displays, offering the physical dominance he has over other options at the club, has to be aimed for if he’s to cement his place in this team. Fans have the back four that played as their preferred defence, just as Arteta will, so it’s on Gabriel to make that shirt his. Don’t let Mari anywhere near it.

He’s got a pretty decent head start, in fairness.

The fighting spirit was on show as he made a brilliant late challenge on Pukki, and sustaining that level throughout the season has to be his aim. There were clear drop offs in form for the 23-year-old last season (partly due to rotation) – those need to be ironed out.

Continued…