Emerging from setbacks with faith and belief is the story of Arsenal's season, so it's rather fitting Gabriel finds himself at the centre of it.

Having transformed his own career, the Brazilian defender has returned from injury to inspire a change of fortune for the Gunners.

Gabriel's return has seen an upturn in form for Arsenal

Arsenal have a no. 6 the fans can get behind

Without the 23-year-old, Arsenal lost their first three Premier League games, picked the ball out of their net nine times, and all hope was lost.

Gabriel never stops hoping. With him, the Gunners have three wins, conceding a solitary consolation goal, and the crisis is suddenly no more.

Overcoming tough starts is something the centre-back has grown accustomed to during a tumultuous career.

After a childhood playing on the streets of the Pirituba District in Sao Paulo, a young Gabriel travelled 12 hours on a bus to start his football career at Avai.

But aged 13 and crippled with homesickness, he lasted just two weeks before returning home.

A young Gabriel had to leave home to pursue his dream

If not for a pep talk from his father, Arsenal would not have their defensive saviour.

Speaking to talkSPORT.com, Gabriel recalls: "It's true that I had a very tough start to my football career in Brazil.

"I was playing very far away from home at a young age.

"But thanks to God and support from my father, I was able to find the strength to carry on and the fact that I'm here today is down to the contributions made by both God and my father."

His five years at Avai culminated in promotion to Brasileiro Serie A, the top league in Brazil, and a 19-year-old Gabriel set his sights on Europe.

But again, the defender would experience a rude awakening, unable to impress Marcelo Bielsa, then loaned out to Troyes and Dinamo Zagreb, where he barely played.

Gabriel played just one competitive match for the first team at Troyes

He actually came up against the Gunners while on loan at Dinamo Zagreb in 2018

He adds: "When I joined Lille, it was my dream to play in Europe and I was very happy to be there, but it was tough because I didn't speak the language.

"When I was there, I didn't stop working, I always remained focussed on my goals. There were two difficult years there, but then things improved."

Earning his place in 2018, Gabriel went on to become one of the most highly-rated defenders in France, attracting interest from not only Arsenal, but Manchester United in the summer of 2020.

At one point, the Red Devils appeared front-runners for his signature, but the Brazilian reveals how a bunch of keen Gunners fans helped lure him to the Emirates.

"I'd always dreamt of playing in the Premier League and everyone knows Arsenal as one of the top clubs in the world," he adds.

Lille is where Gabriel made a name for himself, eventually leaving for £25m

"It's true that Manchester United were also interested, but I was always focused on joining Arsenal.

"The fans sent some messages in the build-up and that was very important in my decision.

"Having been here for some time now, I am certain I made the right choice. I am very happy here, I've made some fantastic friendships and I hope we can win some trophies."

Unlike before, the start of Gabriel's Arsenal career could not have been better, winning three consecutive Player of the Month awards for the club.

However, December 2020 saw him struck down by COVID-19, and his form last season never quite recovered.

Gabriel impressed in his first few months at Arsenal

But Gabriel isn't one to make excuses. He adds: "In terms of having COVID-19, other players had it as well, that's no excuse.

"I was sad to miss out and not be able to help the team when I was needed. But now, in terms of this year, that's in the past."

Looking forward then, many feel the partnership between Gabriel and summer signing Ben White, both 23 with a combined transfer fee of £75million, is one fans can get excited about for years to come.

It only took 17 years.

"We've been playing well, training well, Ben White is a top player and I'm very happy to be playing alongside him and training with him every day," Gabriel says.

Gabriel and White have already clicked after just three matches together

"Things are going well, we want to keep it up. There's still a long season ahead, but we know hard work pays off and we want to achieve something come the end of the season."

Not only a rock in defence, Gabriel can play. Like so many defenders, he originally started out as a striker, and his Samba style still shines through.

So it comes as no surprise Gabriel looks up to one of the most skilful players in world football, despite growing up in an era of legendary Brazilian defenders like Cafu and Roberto Carlos.

He adds: "There have been lots of fantastic players, but someone I always watched when I was younger and someone I still watch now, even though he doesn't play in my position, is Neymar.

"He is one of the best. I'm a big fan of his. There are lots of others too, but if I had to choose one player, it would be Neymar."

Gabriel got the chance to battle it out with Neymar in Ligue 1

Sao Paulo sure knows how to make footballers: Gabriel grew up just an hour's drive away from Neymar.

The homesick teenager has come a long way since then - but this journey is only getting started.

Catch Gabriel in action live on talkSPORT when Arsenal travel to Brighton on Saturday at 5.30pm