Arsene Wenger’s defence on his defender Gabriel Paulista was some timely support for the young Brazilian.
The Brazilian was given a one match suspension due to his involvement in fracas with Chelsea forward Diego Costa.
The red card he initially received during the match – a 2-1 defeat for Arsenal – was overturned retrospectively, but the defender had shown his inexperience in getting involved with Costa in the first place.
Speaking after that match, Wenger pointed out that he was frustrated with Gabriel for allowing himself to drawn into the confrontation, but didn’t was also eager to defend him.
“I said to you after the game that he should not have responded at all and I maintain that and I told him that,” he stated. “But when I saw it again, he did not do a lot, honestly.”
Wenger has always strongly defended his players and it is right that he has supported Gabriel.
The 24 year-old has begun to establish in the Arsenal first team this season and his suspension alone is a setback.
If Wenger had also chosen to criticise him then that could knock his confidence further.
The incident involving Costa was a lesson that Gabriel should have admittedly already learned due to a similar confrontation that had when playing for Atletico de Madrid and Villarreal, respectively. The hope now, at the second time of asking, is that he has finally matured.
