Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Gabriel: The strength of the Premier League is why I wanted to move to Arsenal

Brazilian defender says that he made the right decision

Wednesday 08 April 2015 19:26 BST

Gabriel in action for Arsenal (GETTY IMAGES)

Gabriel has said that he made the right decision in joining Arsenal, and has hailed the quality of the Premier League.

The Brazilian defender joined the Gunners from Villarreal for £11m back in January, and has since made five appearances for the club.

"Every player knows his quality, we have top-quality training facilities and an excellent team," the defender told Arsenal.com. "If you look at our individual qualities we make a great team. That's why we are playing well especially now in the last weeks of the season.

“[The strength of the league is] one of the reasons why I wanted to play here. It’s a tight competition with no weak teams. Clubs at the bottom of the table compete at the same level with the leaders.

Arsenal's best XI of the season so far

Show all 11

1/11Arsenal's best XI of the season so far

Arsenal's best XI of the season so far

David Ospina - 7.40/10

Liverpool owner John W Henry once asked 'What are they smoking at Emirates?'. When it came to having a puff the focus landed on Wojciech Szczesny who was dropped from the team having been caught having a crafty cigarette in the changing rooms after Arsenal's game with Southampton. It was enough for Wenger to give Ospina his chance and the Colombian has easily been more impressive than Szczesny (6.46) was.

GETTY IMAGES

Arsenal's best XI of the season so far

Nacho Monreal - 7.35

There is real competition at left-back with England international Kieran Gibbs (7.04) an option, but it's Monreal who scores higher.

GETTY IMAGES

Arsenal's best XI of the season so far

Gabriel Paulista - 7.46

Only signed in January, the Brazilian defender ranks as the best centre-back at the Emirates based on his performances so far.

GETTY IMAGES

Arsenal's best XI of the season so far

Laurent Koscielny - 7.37

Paulista is joined by Laurent Koscielny, meaning Per Mertesacker (7.07) is the one to miss out. Calum Chambers, who made such an impressive start to the season, is on 7.05.

GETTY IMAGES

Arsenal's best XI of the season so far

Mathieu Debuchy - 7.25

The Frenchman has been out since January but in the 14 appearances before then he made more of an impression than youngster Hector Bellerin (7.21) - if only just. Debuchy is nearing his return from injury just in time for the season run-in.

GETTY IMAGES

Arsenal's best XI of the season so far

Mesut Ozil - 7.56

Has been much derided following his £42.5m switch from Real Madrid, but Ozil has begun to show why Arsenal were willing to pay so much money. The World Cup winner recently spoke about aspiring to be crowned the best player on the planet. He'll have to start by being the best player at Arsenal but as it stands he's the third best based on these ratings.

Getty Images

Arsenal's best XI of the season so far

Francis Coquelin - 7.53

In his 12 starts since returning from a loan spell at Charlton, Coquelin has seemingly solved the desperate need for a defensive midfielder. Alternate options Mathieu Flamini (6.78) and Mikel Arteta (6.73) don't get close.

GETTY IMAGES

Arsenal's best XI of the season so far

Santi Cazorla - 7.65

Unsurprisingly based on his brilliant season, Cazorla completes the midfield in this 4-3-3 line up, with the Spaniard considered the second best player of Arsenal's season so far. That means there is no place for the Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (7.20) had he been fit, Tomas Rosicky (6.73) or Jack Wilshere (6.69). But perhaps the most unexpected player to miss out if based on pre-season prediction is Aaron Ramsey, who's inconsistent performances see him score 7.02 and miss out on a place.

GETTY IMAGES

Arsenal's best XI of the season so far

Danny Welbeck - 7.30

He might have scored just four Premier League goals since joining from Manchester United, but Welbeck's overall contribution sees him score enough to keep Theo Walcott (6.42) out of the attacking trio.

PA

Arsenal's best XI of the season so far

Olivier Giroud - 7.46

Never any doubt the French striker would be the best central striker thanks to his 13 Premier League goals and three assists.

GETTY IMAGES

Arsenal's best XI of the season so far

Alexis Sanchez - 7.84

And completing the XI is of course Alexis Sanchez. The summer signing from Barcelona has been brilliant, scoring 13 goals and collecting seven assists. It makes him Arsenal's best player of the season so far.

GETTY IMAGES

“The Premier League is a tough competition. If you lose a game, the team below you in the table will get closer. We are aware of the difficulties, but we are on the right path."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies