Gabriel could be close to his Arsenal debut and may even feature against Middlesbrough in the FA Cup this weekend according to Arsene Wenger.
Our £11.2 million defender joined from Villarreal last month but has yet to feature in the first team despite being on the bench against Aston Villa, Leicester and Tottenham in recent weeks.
However, Wenger says he hasn’t forgotten about the South American and suggested he’s keeping him out of the starting line-up until he becomes more accustomed to playing with his teammates.
“He’s very close. He is a player with ability. He likes to defend. He is good in the air, very strong,” Wenger is quoted by the Daily Mirror as saying in his pre-match press conference.
“But it is better I don’t talk too much and let him show how good he is.”
Sunday’s match might be the ideal time to play him given the caliber of opposition Arsenal are facing – though saying that Boro did beat Manchester City 2-0 at the Etihad to earn this tie.
You’d expect squad rotation in general would be high on Wenger’s agenda, however, with key matches away at Crystal Palace and two-ties against AS Monaco in the last 16 of the Champions League coming in the next couple of weeks.
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