The Arsenal defender Gabriel fought off a baseball-bat wielding attacker who tried to steal his Mercedes from his garage in north London.

Gabriel, 23, and a friend were followed home by two men wearing masks and hoods who attempted to steal his car, phone and watch, the Daily Mail reported.

Gabriel fought off one of the attackers, however, wrestling him to the ground. The robber escaped, but his hat came off during the struggle and was used by police to trace his DNA.

The attacker, Abderaham Muse, 26, was last month jailed for five years over one count of robbery and one of possession of an offensive weapon.

Two accomplices have not been caught.

“No injuries were suffered but a great deal of shock was caused,” Martin Lewis, prosecuting, told Harrow Crown Court, according to the report.

“They happened to pick on two victims who were very fit and able to look after themselves.”

Judge Thompson told Muse: “You have an appalling record for a man of 26. This was an horrific and frightening attack on a group of people who were simply coming home from a night out.”

Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta said on Tuesday that the club had offered support to Gabriel, who was signed from Ligue 1 side Lille at the beginning of last season.

“It’s not a nice thing to go through when you have family involved,” Arteta said.

“Gabi showed a lot of character. Credit to the boy. After that he was fine, but obviously he was shocked. The club have given him the support to try and move on from the situation.”

Gabriel has made 10 Premier League appearances for Arsenal this season, with the club sat fifth in the table.

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