In perhaps the most startling news since Pope Francis renounced Christ (you haven't read about that yet?), Arsene Wenger has done exactly what he needed to do and signed a central defender. And not just any central defender, but one who:
- Actually plays in central defence
- Is old enough to vote
- Wasn’t signed from an obscure provincial French third division team
24-year-old Gabriel Paulista has signed for Arsenal from Villarreal on a "long-term" contract for a fee of roughly $18m, with Joel Campbell going the other way on loan. And while Gabriel's move was only confirmed this morning, he’s already talking a good game: “Arsenal is a very big team and it must always be competing for the biggest titles in the world. I have to repeat it - Arsenal must fight for all the most important titles around."
pic.twitter.com/RgTgGqmO9e @BBCSport | Twitter
Of course, this being an Arsene Wenger signing, Gabriel isn’t your spit-and-sawdust throwback; lord no. He’s Brazilian, quick over the ground, two-footed and comfortable in possession. So, our glib opening list of credentials aside, what will Gabriel bring to The Emirates' table?
- Relatively experienced at the top level: over 40 games for Villarreal in La Liga and the Europa League over the last two seasons
- Robust: prior to his move, Gabriel played in all 19 of Villarreal’s La Liga fixtures this season, completing 90 minutes on 17 occasions
- Competent: Gabriel has been a key component in Villarreal’s sterling defensive record, conceding just 17 goals in 19 games (the third best in Spain)
- Uses His Head: while not quite in Per Mertesacker territory, 6ft 1in Gabriel is averaging 2.5 aerial duels won per game, higher than Laurent Koscielny (2.3) and Callum Chambers (1.8)
- Avid Reader: Gabriel reads the game very well, averaging 3.5 interceptions per game in La Liga this season, the seventh best in the league. That’s a far higher number than both Mertesacker (2.1) and Chambers (1.9) can boast in the Premier League, though not quite as good as Laurent Koscielny (3.8)
In short, it looks like Arsene Wenger has signed exactly the sort of player Arsenal have been crying out for: an experienced, solid central defender who isn’t prone to injury and can challenge/cover Mertesacker and Koscielny.
If only they’d signed him in the summer.
If you liked this, you might like:
Watch A 14-Year-Old Carlos Teves Destroy The Opposition
16-Year-Old Martin Odegaard Signs $120,000 Per Week Contract With Real Madrid
12-Year-Old Takes Over Cup Final With 2 Golazos
