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Arsenal defender Gabriel was the target of a robbery
Photo:
Richard Heathcote / Getty Images
Brazilian defender Gabriel from the Premier League club Arsenal FC routed an armed attacker outside his own home in London.
As the "Daily Mail" reported, the 23-year-old was uninjured.
The police have now released a video from a surveillance camera showing the attack with a baseball bat.
The incident is said to have happened in August, but has only now become known.
Gabriel had come home with a friend before they were approached in his garage by two masked men who followed them.
The robbers demanded the car keys, cell phone and watch from Gabriel.
When one of the masked men swung a baseball bat in the direction of the footballer, the Arsenal defender slapped the attacker in the face and pushed him to the ground, according to the report.
The attacker managed to get free, but Gabriel kept his cap.
The man could later be identified using traces of DNA.
Because he was linked to other crimes, a court sentenced the 26-year-old to a five-year prison term.
His accomplice was not caught.
Attack on Arsenal professionals as early as 2019
Gabriel isn't the first Arsenal professional to be a victim of a robbery - and to defeat him himself.
In the summer of 2019, ex-national players Mesut Özil and Sead Kolasinac were ambushed by two armed men in London.
Kolisinac repelled the attack with his bare hands.
The perpetrators were later caught and sentenced to prison terms.
Özil and Kolasinac were given a short break by Arsenal to recover from the incident.
Gabriel missed his first three league games this season but was officially absent due to a knee injury.
Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta highlighted the character of his player.
"It's not nice to go through something like this when the family is involved," he said.
Gabriel was shocked, but he was fine.
"The club gave him all the support he needed to get over the situation."
Gabriel is an undisputed regular at Arsenal, which is currently fifth in the Premier League after disappointing years.
On Thursday evening (9:15 p.m., live ticker SPIEGEL.de; TV: Sky) Arsenal will meet at Manchester United.
hba / dpa / Reuters