Martin Keown reckons Gabriel Paulista can win a permanent starting place in Arsenal’s back four after making his first Premier League start on Sunday.
The January signing from Villarreal impressed alongside Laurent Koscielny against the Toffees as Per Mertesacker was dropped following his poor performance in last week’s 3-1 defeat to Monaco in the Champions League.
Arsenal legend Keown insists Mertesacker was not solely to blame for the shock Monaco defeat, but he believes Gabriel has a perfect chance to make the spot his own when the Gunners face QPR on Wednesday before travelling to Manchester United in the FA Cup on Monday. He told BT Sport: “I don’t think you can point the finger at one player after the Monaco game. It’s a big chance for Gabriel now, though. I think it could be a defining moment in changing Arsenal’s back four now, for sure. Gabriel is keen to defend so he’ll be relishing this opportunity to stamp a claim for a first-team.”
Martin Keown reckons Gabriel Paulista can win a permanent starting place in Arsenal’s back four after making his first Premier League start on Sunday.
The January signing from Villarreal impressed alongside Laurent Koscielny against the Toffees as Per Mertesacker was dropped following his poor performance in last week’s 3-1 defeat to Monaco in the Champions League.
Arsenal legend Keown insists Mertesacker was not solely to blame for the shock Monaco defeat, but he believes Gabriel has a perfect chance to make the spot his own when the Gunners face QPR on Wednesday before travelling to Manchester United in the FA Cup on Monday. He told BT Sport: “I don’t think you can point the finger at one player after the Monaco game. It’s a big chance for Gabriel now, though. I think it could be a defining moment in changing Arsenal’s back four now, for sure. Gabriel is keen to defend so he’ll be relishing this opportunity to stamp a claim for a first-team.”
