Gabriel Paulista could be "fast tracked" into Arsenal's team to face Aston Villa on Sunday, according to John Cross of the Mirror.
The Brazilian is yet to be officially unveiled as a Gunners player, but Cross believes he has flown to Paris in order to "speed up" the process and complete legal requirements ahead of his move. Paulista was granted a work permit on Monday, per BBC Sport, in a deal which will set Arsenal back £15 million.
Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker's partnership has diminished in recent times, but it's the latter who is most likely to receive the chop. Koscielny's added mobility and leadership skills make him an integral part of Arsene Wenger's side, while Mertesacker's lack of pace and concentration slips have him struggling to impress.
Paulista will bring athleticism to Arsenal's side. "He is tall and pacy," said Wenger, per BBC Sport. "He has a good chance to adapt to English football." Sky Sports profiled the man in question:
The 24-year-old will need to adapt quickly if he's thrown in against Villa, who are a side Arsenal should comfortably beat without their goal taking much of a battering.
Paul Lambert's side are the lowest scoring team in the country, including conference leagues, with a measly total of 11 strikes in 22 games this season. Just four of these have come away from home, suggesting Villa may be the perfect opening opponents for Paulista to face. It's certainly a more welcoming tie than throwing him in away at Tottenham the week after.
Wenger has done well to find a suitable centre-back at a reasonable price in January. Louis van Gaal needs to do the same at Manchester United, signalling Arsenal could now be favourites to grab a Champions League spot.
B/R UK's James McNicholas recently looked at how the French boss could further improve his team, however:
Arsenal's objectives for the season should remain with trying to capture third in the domestic division. A run deep into the Champions League would also be profitable, and well overdue, while Wenger will be looking to defend the side's FA Cup crown.
Filling out the squad with players like Paulista will aid this quest, and indeed, add to the Gunners' resiliency which toppled Manchester City during their last Premier League outing.
from Bleacher Report http://ift.tt/1v2zcSI
via IFTTT January 28, 2015 at 12:30AM
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