Arsenal defender Gabriel Paulista has revealed that he never imagined playing in England before interest from the north London club surfaced.

Gabriel moved to the Emirates Stadium from La Liga side Villarreal in January for a transfer fee believed to be around £11.3million and admits it was a move he did not think possible when he first arrived in Spain in 2013.

Gabriel told Arsenal's official website: "I never imagined playing in England, but when we had pre-season games here I started to look at English football more closely and I wanted to join a Premier League team.

"I spoke with my agent and we had a friendly conversation about my desire of joining a top English club. Months later, this offer came, much to my delight, and things are going well."