Tell me a bit about young Gabriel and the dreams he had…

Well, I’ve always been involved in football. My dad is also passionate about it, and so is my family. He had the dream of becoming a footballer himself, but he didn’t make it, so he dreamed of having a son who could become one. Since I was little, he always encouraged me and gave me all the support in the world to follow what I love. When you’re a kid, you play for fun because it’s something you love, but as you grow up, it starts getting a bit more serious. Today, being a footballer playing for Arsenal, and taking part in big games like the ones against Real Madrid, it really is the fulfilment of a dream.

I have to ask you about the 3-0 first-leg win against Real Madrid. Everyone’s been talking about it…

Of course, after the match, we were really happy in the dressing room, celebrating, but we knew it’s a two-legged tie. We did an excellent job in the home leg, and we did what we’d set out to do in terms of how we wanted to play. When we talked after the home leg, we were very grounded. We knew our quality, but we also had a lot of respect for Real Madrid.

And what is Mikel Arteta’s mindset like? How does he approach analysis, and how has he shaped you both as a player and as a person?

He’s an incredible manager. If I’m not mistaken, this is his first managerial job. He came directly from Manchester City, where he was Pep Guardiola’s assistant. So, from being an assistant to managing such a big club – which was also his home as he played here before and was captain. But you can see he’s a winner, and from the first moment he arrived, he changed a lot of things at the club. He changed our mindset, and we can see how the team has evolved throughout the seasons. Without question, he and his backroom staff have been doing a great job, and I’m very happy to be a part of it as well.

Talk me through those Declan Rice free-kicks…

Scoring a goal like that against Real Madrid isn’t easy, right? And I can’t remember him scoring from a free-kick. ‘The Horse’... It’s an incredible feat to pull that off. He’s known for his powerful shots, but to smash in two in the Champions League quarter-finals against Real Madrid, against Thibaut Courtois, it’s just amazing. For me, that second free-kick is number one by far. I don’t remember ever seeing such a beautiful goal. Maybe only Lionel Messi’s – the one he scored against Liverpool. 

If I tell Declan, “Look, Gabriel said that he couldn’t remember a more beautiful goal than your second one. Perhaps only Messi’s,” I think he’ll be very happy…

For me, it’s even more special because I’m on his team, I was there and… Well, watching those two goals… the first was great, but the second was amazing. Did you see where the ball went? That’s insane. He deserves it. Everyone loves him at the club. So, yeah, we’re happy for him. 

What would you say to the younger version of yourself, who can’t have known you’d end up playing and scoring against Real Madrid in the Champions League?

Believe in your dreams, because you have everything to fulfil them. You deserve it. Just keep your feet on the ground, and everything will work out. Everybody faces challenges in life. In any profession, there will be hardships and you’ll fall, but you have to pick yourself up, show strength and desire, and keep your feet on the ground. I think that’s a good start.