Arsenal defender Gabriel delighted to receive first Brazil call up

Arsenal defender Gabriel says he is determined to work as hard as possible after receiving his first international call up for the Brazil squad for the upcoming friendlies against France and Chile.

The centre-back was not included in Dunga's initial travelling party for friendlies against France and Chile but did receive the nod after injuries to David Luiz and Marquinhos forced the Paris Saint-Germain duo to withdraw from contention.

The 23-year-old, a new arrival at Arsenal having joined the club from Villarreal in January for £11.2m, has yet to represent his country at senior level and is clearly thrilled by the prospect.

"I am very happy with the news, and it is a dream for any player to wear the shirt of your country," he told Arsenal's official website. "I'll play the best possible way. It is a valuable opportunity and I hope that is the first call of many."

While Gabriel is yet to fully establish himself as a regular starter under Arsene Wenger, he has nevertheless impressed with the majority of his early performances for Arsenal and produced an accomplished individual display during the 2-1 victory over Newcastle that should ensure he is able to retain a starting berth ahead of Per Mertesacker.

"It will be an incentive for me to continue working hard at Arsenal. It will not be easy, because the Brazilian team has great quality, but I will work hard to get my place in the team," he added.

Gabriel will not have to travel far for the second of Brazil's upcoming matches, with the friendly against Chile on March 29 due to take place at the Emirates Stadium.

Brazil have been in superb form since suffering humbling defeats to Germany and the Netherlands that condemned them to a disappointing fourth-place finish at a World Cup they were widely expected to win with the benefit of home advantage.

Former captain Dunga was not an overwhelmingly popular choice of replacement for Luiz Felipe Scolari following the latter's resignation in the aftermath of that failure, but has issued the perfect riposte to those who queried his re-appointment with a run of six consecutive victories.

The last of those wins came back in November, when goals from former Chelsea favourite Luiz and Hoffenheim midfielder Roberto Firmino secured a hard-fought 2-1 win over Austria in Vienna.

Aleksander Dragovic's penalty for the hosts was the first time that Brazil had even conceded a goal since their ill-fated World Cup campaign but their defence will surely be sorely tested by superior opposition this month.