Manager Arsène Wenger hints that defender Gabriel Paulista could make Arsenal debut in FA Cup tie against Middlesbrough

Manager Arsène Wenger has hinted that defender Gabriel Paulista could make his Arsenal debut in their FA Cup Fifth Round tie against Middlesbrough at Emirates Stadium on Saturday. The Brazilian centre-back has so far been an unused substitute for the Gunners’ Premier League matches against Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City, but Wenger suggested […]
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sambafoot_admin
2015-02-13 15:57:00

Manager Arsène Wenger has hinted that defender Gabriel Paulista could make his Arsenal debut in their FA Cup Fifth Round tie against Middlesbrough at Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

The Brazilian centre-back has so far been an unused substitute for the Gunners’ Premier League matches against Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City, but Wenger suggested in his Friday press conference that Gabriel may now finally get his chance.

"He’s very close [to making his debut]," he said, as reported by The Guardian. "He likes to defend. It’s more and more difficult to find people like that. [He is] a player who has overall good qualities: good pace, good in the air, good in one against one. But it’s best I don’t talk too much and let him play and he shows how good he is."

Gabriel was signed by Arsenal from Villarreal for a reported fee of €15 million in January. The 24 year-old, who is contracted until June 2019, made 50 appearances for El Submarino Amarillo and was previously owned by Vitória, before moving to Spain in August 2013.

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