Football
Mattias Karen, Arsenal correspondent 7y

Arsenal's Gabriel mourns friends who died on Chapecoense plane

Arsenal's Brazilian defender Gabriel Paulista has delivered a tear-filled message to the victims of the Chapecoense plane crash, saying several of those killed were "close friends."

Gabriel played under Chapecoense coach Caio Junior at Vitoria in 2013 and also knew several others who were on the chartered plane that crashed in Colombia en route to the Copa Sudamericana finals. All but six of the 77 people on board were killed.

"It is a bit hard to talk about what happened. I wish the families can have the strength and I hope God can comfort their hearts," Gabriel said in a video posted on Arsenal's Twitter account.

"I had many friends over there. I played for Vitoria for five years and I worked with the coach and the backroom staff, and two other players as well.

"We were very close friends."

The video was recorded after Arsenal's 2-0 loss to Southampton in the EFL Cup quarterfinals at the Emirates on Wednesday. Gabriel also helped hold up a banner reading "Forca Chape" before the match as a moment of silence was observed in the stadium.

And he broke down in tears as he recounted how he felt a desire to call Caio Junior recently but was left regretting his decision to put it off.

"This is really hard to take, it's something we never imagine will happen with us or a close friend. The minimum I can do is send my condolences to all their families and wish that they carry on," Gabriel said. "I know it's not easy to lose a member of the family. I know it from experience, I've lost a brother myself and know how painful it is.

"I ask for strength for this team that enchanted Brazilian football, a group that five years ago was in the fourth division and surprised everyone.

"We only have good memories to keep in our hearts from this team and the friends that I made through football. We have a message group from Brazil, and I texted them to say 'Don't leave for tomorrow what you can do today.'

"I say that because on my birthday I felt this urge to talk to Caio Junior and for some reason I left it for another day. And then this tragedy happens.

"So if you think you want to do something just get out there and do it because if we don't know what tomorrow brings."

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