Brazilian defender Gabriel is still waiting for his first Brazil cap and hasn’t been called up for this latest international break but that doesn’t mean he’s ready to give in.

A fierce competitor, the centre-back also hasn’t given up hope of winning the Premier League title with Arsenal this season. In recent weeks the defender has played much more regularly and is eyeing a spot in the Brazil team for the World Cup next summer.

“[To] be among the Selecao, I must develop and do a good job at Arsenal,” Gabriel said in an interview with Sambafoot.

“First of all, I want to help my country qualify for the World Cup, and then of course, play in the World Cup at Russia 2018. I want to build a story with Brazil.”

Despite being called up a few times in the past year, Gabriel hasn’t played for his country yet and hasn’t made the cut for this week’s games against Uruguay and Paraguay. Nonetheless, he clearly hasn’t let that get in the way of his ambitions.

Those ambitions still extend to club duty as well, where Arsenal lie 11 points behind Leicester City (albeit with a game in hand) as the season draws to a close. Gabriel isn’t willing to let the campaign peter out.

“We have a great chance to be champions this season. However, we went through a period of bad form and it left us behind Leicester, who are having a great season.

“But we do not throw in the towel.”