Mikel Arteta finally explains why he made shock decision to drop Gabriel

The 25-year-old has been a mainstay of the Arsenal defence since his move from Lille three years ago and is currently enjoying, arguably, his best run of form in an Arsenal shirt.

It was a different story back in August when, amid speculation he was set for a lucrative transfer to the Saudi Pro League, Arteta relegated his centre-half to the substitutes’ bench for the first three games of the campaign.

After an indifferent defensive display in a 2-2 draw against Fulham, Arteta restored Gabriel to the starting line-up for the victory against Manchester United and he hasn’t missed a Premier League game since that dramatic late win.

Alongside William Saliba, Gabriel has formed an increasingly solid partnership that has underpinned Arsenal’s rise to the top of the table ahead of this afternoon’s game against Wolves.

Arteta had previously remained tightlipped over the reason behind Gabriel’s early season demotion but hinted on Friday that a spell on the sidelines has done him the power of good.

‘In football it’s about tomorrow,’ said Arteta at his pre-match press conference.

‘It’s about form, it’s about how you are playing, it’s about how you are behaving and you have to earn it every single day, because you know somebody else is next to you and wants to take your place and deserves to take your place.

‘Sometimes you just need to sit down on the bench and realise things and then suddenly you become a much better player.’