Arsenal's Gabriel delivers emotional tribute to Chapecoense coach and friend Caio Junior

James Benge1 December 2016

Arsenal centre-back Gabriel offered a tearful tribute to his late friend Caio Junior, the Chapecoense coach who was among 71 people killed in a plane crash in Colombia on Monday night.

A charter jet carrying the team, support staff, club officials and journalists went down on a flight to Medellin, where Chapecoense were due to play in a Copa Sudamericana final match against Atletico Nacional. Only six of those on the plane survived.

Arsenal paid tribute to those who lost their lives with a minute’s silence at the Emirates before their EFL Cup tie with Southampton whilst Lucas Perez, Gabriel and Aaron Ramsey held up a banner with the hashtag Forca Chape.

After the match Gabriel broke down in an interview as he recalled his memories of Caio Junior, his coach when he was in the youth ranks of Brazilian side Vitoria.

"This is really hard to take. It is something we never imagine will happen with us or a close friend," Gabriel said.

"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 minimum I can do is send my condolences to all their families and wish that they can carry on.

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

"We only have good memories to keep in our hearts from this team and the friends I made through football."

All players in this weekend’s Premier League matches will wear black armbands and observe a minute’s silence as a mark of respect, as will be the case in next week’s Champions League and Europa League ties.

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