Arsene Wenger thinks Arsenal defender Gabriel will improve as a player once his grasp of English is better.
The Brazilian, who joined the Gunners from Villarreal a year ago, was among the poorest performers as Wenger’s men suffered a damaging 3-2 defeat to a makeshift Manchester United side at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Gabriel has so far failed to dislodge Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny as first-choice centre-halves and Wenger hopes the 25-year-old makes quick strides in his attempt to learn the language if he is to cement a place in the first XI.
“I would prefer him to have better English,” Wenger said. “In a fraction of a second sometimes somebody can help you.
“He has Nacho Monreal who plays next to him, he can speak Spanish. I believe as well he’s working very hard on his English and he’s improving quite quickly.”
