Arsenal’s Gabi says what’s ‘special’ about his club (long read)

A 26-year-old Brazilian player who joined Arsenal when he was just eighteen, Gabi, has revealed what he thought was special about The Gunners.

Speaking to Arsenal’s press, he said the following on that topic:

‘We have something here that is just special. Every player who joins this football club is just made so welcome right from the start, obviously by the players but also by the training ground staff.

‘The manager and the coaches are responsible for it too. This is a place that everyone wants to be part of. It’s a family and a really good club to be at.’

Gabi, also known as Gabriel dos Santos Magalhães, plays as a centre-back for Arsenal. He started his career with Avai in Santa Catarina, Brazil, before joining Lille. Gabi has also had loan spells during his career.

‘The way that people welcomed me here was special and I’ve been trying to do the same for every new player,’ he said. ‘It was an example for me. I always try to make their lives as easy as possible because I know how hard it can be when you arrive somewhere and you don’t speak the language or know many people.

‘I always try my best to help. When you’re a family, you stick together at all times. We’re always there, side by side, trying to help each other.’

Usually, there are always suitors for amazing players, but Gabi had chosen handsome Arsenal.

‘I knew there were clubs interested in signing me around the time I joined Arsenal – but I was just focusing on playing football,’ Gabi revealed. ‘But then one day my agent gave me a call and told me that Arsenal wanted to sign me. When I found out I was just super excited.

‘To be honest, it was quite an emotional feeling. I phoned my family straight away and told them. It was such a good feeling to find out that such a big club wanted to sign me. I was really proud.

‘I remember feeling a bit of everything when I woke up on my first day. But I was mainly so excited. The thing is, I came over from quite a small club in Brazil. Then, all of a sudden, I was surrounded by these big stars. It was just amazing.

‘When I came over, I couldn’t really speak any English – but I received a lot of help. I went to the gym with my new team-mates on my first afternoon at the club and that was something special – looking around the room, seeing who I was with and thinking about the journey I’d been on.

‘The squad really helped me in those early days. The first player I spoke to was Shkodran Mustafi – he tried to speak Portuguese with me and was really nice. But in truth it felt like everyone made the effort with me.

‘I became really close with Emi Martinez. He was so important and so helpful. He tried to help me with the language – he was always next to me, helping me with everything. He was the main man here for me at that time.

‘In my first year at the club, we spent New Year’s Eve together. I went to his house with my family. Honestly, he was amazing for me and I’m really thankful. I’m still in contact with him now and he’s someone I’ll always keep in my heart.

‘David Luiz was special too. He helped me a lot –as he did the whole squad. He was always giving advice and was really important for me as well.’

Fans will expect him to keep making them happy.

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