Arsenal’s Gabriel breaks down in tears as he sends his condolences to Chapecoense

Messages of support continue to flood in for those affected by the plane crash in Colombia which saw 71 people lose their life earlier this week.

Many of those that died were players and staff from Brazilian football club, Chapecoense, who were on their way to the city of Medellin to contest the first leg of their Copa Sudamericana final against Atletico Nacional. On Wednesday evening, Arsenal's Gabriel struggled to hold back the tears as he sent a touching message to those affected by the tragedy. Although clearly finding it difficult to talk about it, the 26-year-old insisted on sending some words of support for his countrymen. "I had many friends over there," Gabriel explained after Arsenal's League Cup defeat to Southampton. "I played for Vitoria for many years and I worked with the coach and the backroom staff, and two other players as well. We were very close friends. This is really hard to take, it's something we never imagine to happen to a close friend. The minimum I can do is send my condolences to all of their families and wish that they can carry on." https://twitter.com/arsenal/status/804363000970874880 Very well said. Back in Brazil, at the time the game between Chapecoense and Atletico Nacional was supposed to have been played, Fox Sports Brasil, the broadcaster that was scheduled to show the match, aired 90 minutes of silence in memory of those that died in the crash.