Arsenal centre-back Gabriel bravely fought back against thieves armed with baseball bats who were trying to steal his car, watch and mobile phone.
The incident happened in August when Gabriel, who joined the Gunners in a £27m deal from Lille last year, and a friend were followed home by three attackers.
The Brazilian defender was confronted in his garage, with CCTV footage, which was first obtained by MailOnline, showing him giving his keys and watch to a thief who held a baseball bat to his face.
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One of the thieves then took a swing at Gabriel with the metal bat but the Arsenal player struck the man in the face and wrestled him to the ground.
The thief, who eventually managed to escape, lost his hat in the struggle and police were able to trace his DNA.
The thief – Abderaham Muse was jailed for five years just last month for one count of robbery and one of possession of an offensive weapon.
Judge Anupama Thompson said: ‘While you didn’t specifically target the victim on account of him being a well-known footballer, there was a realisation this person was wealthy and worthy of robbing.
‘You saw a nice car and a nice house and thought it was rich pickings. Fortunately, thanks to the brave actions of the people you targeted, no further damage was done.
‘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.’
However, Muse’s two accomplices during the robbery have still not been caught.
Martin Lewis, the prosecuting, told Harrow Crown Court: ‘No injuries were suffered but a great deal of shock was caused. They happened to pick on two victims who were very fit and able to look after themselves.’
Gabriel was sidelined with a knee problem when the attack took place but he has gone on to play 10 matches in the Premier League for Arsenal this campaign.
