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LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 26: Gabriel Paulista of Arsenal and Santi Cazorla of Arsenal after the Emirates Cup match between Arsenal and VfL Wolfsburg at Emirates Stadium on July 26, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images).
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 26: Gabriel Paulista of Arsenal and Santi Cazorla of Arsenal after the Emirates Cup match between Arsenal and VfL Wolfsburg at Emirates Stadium on July 26, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images).Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images

Gabriel Paulista: 'I Have Seen Death, I've Been Robbed. I've Seen Many Things'

Tom WebbOct 10, 2015

Arsenal defender Gabriel Paulista has spoken of his tough upbringing in the impoverished south of Sao Paulo.

"I have seen death, I have witnessed robberies, I’ve been robbed in Sao Paulo. I’ve seen many things," Gabriel told Arsenal's official website.

But the 24-year-old admits he is proud to be able to give his mother a better life: "She lived in a shack in a favela. I talk about it because I am not ashamed of saying it, and today I am proud of being able to help her, to give her a better life, and me as well because I always dreamed about it. Thanks to God, things are coming true."

Gabriel has made a strong start to the season after joining the Gunners from Villarreal in January, reliably stepping in for first choice pair Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker when called upon.

Poch in Tears Saying Goodbye 🥺