Jury's out on whether Gabriel is angel or devil

Arsène Wenger said before the game that the debutant, who does not speak English, would have to communicate “with his eyes not his mouth.” Whether a series of raised eyebrows, pointed glares or fruity winks were used is hard to say, but the Brazilian slotted in admirably in the first half. He could have hardly asked for a quieter start, but played with assurance, and his colleagues clearly had enough confidence in his abilities for Gibbs to play as an additional left winger. However, he did pick up a yellow in the second half when he barged Boro’s Reach to the floor as the pacy youngster broke. In fairness, Gabriel didn’t have a choice and it was a legit, if cynical, foul to make. Gave a corner away needlessly in the second period and was also beaten in the jump by Kike in injury time for a header that would have given Boro a consolation. A decent debut, but not an entirely commanding one.