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.

While Luiz is an established member of the Brazil squad, Gabriel has yet to earn himself a place in national team set-up, but Wenger has every confidence that will come as the player remains focused on improving his game.

Wenger said: “Gabriel is a different style to David Luiz, who looked more as a defensive midfielder, rather than a centre-back, because of his level of concentration and his dynamic (play) going forward.

“I think Gabriel is a typical defender. David Luiz, you didn’t know if he was a midfielder, as he had the potential always to play.

“Gabriel is a more typical defender. He is a real defender, who wants to defend.”

Wenger was impressed by the potential of Gabriel, who could make his debut against Aston Villa tomorrow, from scouting the player in Spain.

The Arsenal manager revealed the club’s statistical research via the US-based sports data performance analysis company StatDNA also indicated it was a move worth making.

“He has good stats. We look at interceptions, defensive errors, winning tackles, set-piece receptions, these kind of things (but still) the most important thing is through the eye,” said Wenger.

“That is what we look for, of course, because it is difficult to watch all the games.

“If the numbers confirm the eye, it gives you more.”

Wenger believes the temperament of Gabriel’s upbringing in Brazil will be a positive influence to the challenges ahead.

“He is from Sao Paulo. You have Rio players and Sao Paulo. One is a beach area and one is more hard working,” the Arsenal manager said.

“Gabriel can play right-back or left-back, that is another factor which was important for us.”

Meanwhile Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert is ready to tap into Scott Sinclair’s “unfulfilled potential” after landing the winger on loan from Manchester City.

Villa have completed the protracted signing of the winger until the end of the season with a view to signing him permanently in the summer. The 25-year-old made just 12 appearances for City after joining them back in 2012, with an inauspicious loan stint at West Brom last season.

“I’m thankful we got the deal done because I think he’s a player with great unfulfilled potential,” Lambert said.

“In hindsight, maybe for his own playing career, the Manchester City move was not a good one for him. But the opportunity to play for a club like that hardly ever comes to you and when it does, it’s very hard to turn it down.

“I’m pretty sure he will have learned a lot in football terms from it, whether he realises it yet or not.”