Gabriel Paulista’s stats impressed Arsene Wenger

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is confident Gabriel Paulista has what to takes to become a top centre-back in the Premier League, and will not be the next Brazilian ‘PlayStation’ player like David Luiz. The 24-year-old completed a permanent transfer from Villarreal earlier this week following international clearance, with Costa Rica striker Joel Campbell heading in the other direction on loan for the rest of the season as part of a deal said to be worth £11.5 million (€15.3m).

Luiz often saw his performances come under scrutiny for being too attack-minded, with pundit Gary Neville claiming it was like he “was controlled by ‘a 10-year-old on a PlayStation” following Chelsea’s defeat to Liverpool in November 2011.