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Gabriel arrives in Valencia for medical as he puts finishing touches on £10m Arsenal exit

Gabriel struggled to establish himself at Arsenal after his move from Villarreal in 2015: Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Gabriel struggled to establish himself at Arsenal after his move from Villarreal in 2015: Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Arsenal defender Gabriel has arrived in Spain to put the finishing touches on his £10million move to Valencia.

The Brazilian centre-back has been deemed surplus to requirements as Arsene Wenger tries to trim a first-team squad of 32 and will return to La Liga, where he spent two years at Villarreal before his £11.3m move to the Emirates in January 2015.

On his arrival in Spain Gabriel told reporters he was feeling “content. I have spoken with [Valencia head coach] Marcelino because I know his work.”

Gabriel will leave Arsenal after two-and-a-half largely disappointing years at the club, where his inability to learn English meant he struggled to settle into Arsene Wenger’s squad.

VÍDEO | 🎞

Llegada de @gpaulista5

"Contento. He hablado con Marcelino, ya conozco su trabajo"

Espera llegar al Bernabéu pic.twitter.com/VwQiDXJ9wt

— ONDA DEPORTIVA (@ODValencia) August 17, 2017

Though his ability to fill in at right-back made him a useful squad player for Wenger Gabriel started only 10 Premier League games in his preferred central role last season and was likely to find himself increasingly sidelined following the emergence of Rob Holding and the return to prominence of club captain Per Mertesacker.

The 26-year-old hopes to make his Valencia debut in 10 days’ time when Los Che travel to the Santiago Bernabeu to take on Spanish and European champions Real Madrid.