Arsenal defender Gabriel Paulista has revealed that he almost quit playing professional football.

The 24-year-old was turned down by Gremio and Santos, before he landed a three-month trial at Vitoria after impressing in a youth tournament.

"It was in Copa Sao Paulo, the most famous competition for young players in Brazil," he told Arsenal's official website. "I was playing for Taboao da Serra and Vitoria was in the same group.

"We didn't pass the group stage but my football was impressive. Then Vitoria called me for a test in Salvador. Thanks God, after that all went well. It was a three-month trial. The first month was easy for me because I was looking for something new, but time went by and I never received any feedback and then things started to get a bit more complicated.

"I had no money, even for simple things like going out with my friends. There were times I thought about quitting because I was always alone, but I repeated to myself many times, 'This is my dream, I have to try harder. With my feet on the ground I will succeed in my career'."

Gabriel joined Arsenal from Villarreal in January.