Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown has contemplated whether Gabriel Paulista can displace Per Mertesacker.
The Brazilian centre-back, who was signed from Villarreal for a reported fee of €15 million in January, was selected ahead of Mertesacker for Arsenal’s Premier League match against Everton on Sunday.
Speaking before that tie, Keown stated that he believed Gabriel has a chance to take Mertesacker’s position, following the German’s unconvincing mid-week showing against Monaco in the first leg of Arsenal’s UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie.
"I don"t you can point the finger at one player after the Monaco game. It"s a big chance for Gabriel now, though," he told BT Sport, as reported by the Daily Mail.
"I think it could be a defining moment in changing Arsenal"s back four now, for sure.
"Mertesacker, with the experience he has in the game, should have been calling these young players back the other night [against Monaco], the two full-backs were just drifting up the pitch and not coming back.
"When he"s been left isolated one-on-one he struggles due to his lack of pace too. Gabriel is keen to defend so he"ll be relishing this opportunity to stamp a claim for a first-team spot."
Gabriel’s selection against Everton was his first start in the Premier League for Arsenal. He had previously featured in the FA Cup win over Middlesbrough and as a late substitute against Crystal Palace.
