Arsenal defender Gabriel bravely fought back against thieves armed with baseball bats who were trying to steal his car at his north London home in August. Gabriel, 23, and a friend were followed home by two men wearing masks and hoods who tried to steal his car, phone and watch, the report said.
A video appeared to show one of the attackers lunging at Gabriel with a bat before the Arsenal defender punched him in the face and grappled with him.
The man, Abderaham Muse, along with another robber, followed Gabriel home from a night out before demanding the Brazilian’s car keys, watch and mobile phone as he exited his car. Muse then lunged at the former Lille center-half but the Gunners star struck him in the face before wrestling with him.
The attacker, Muse, was jailed for five years over one count of robbery and one of possession of an offensive weapon after police traced DNA from his hat which fell off during the scuffle, the report added.
Two accomplices have not been caught.
“No injuries were suffered but a great deal of shock was caused,” Martin Lewis, prosecuting, told Harrow Crown Court, according to the report. “They happened to pick on two victims who were very fit and able to look after themselves.”
Lewis said: “No injuries were suffered but a great deal of shock was caused. They happened to pick on two victims who were very fit and able to look after themselves.”
Gabriel has made 33 Premier League appearances for Arsenal in all competitions since joining from Ligue 1 side Lille last year.Live TV
