Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admits that he found Gabriel Paulista's performance against Everton today encouraging, which could spell trouble for German centre-back Per Mertesacker.
Mertesacker paid the price for a poor display for Arsenal in their midweek Champions League defeat to Monaco, the Gunners going down 3-1, with Wenger dropping the German to the bench and promoting winter transfer window signing Gabriel to the starting eleven.
And the Brazilian played his part as Arsenal kept a clean sheet and put Everton to the sword, running out 2-0 winners in the Premier League clash at the Emirates Stadium.
Gabriel has done his chances of keeping his place in the side no harm, with Wenger praising his display.
"He had an encouraging performance overall", Wenger said via his club's site, going on to point to a superb tackle on Everton striker Romelu Lukaku.
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"He was surprised by the intensity of the challenges once or twice, but he made a great tackle against Romelu Lukaku in the first half.
"He’s highly focused, has a good concentration level and is quick."
Next up for Arsenal is a visit to Loftus Road to face struggling QPR on Wednesday night, followed by a trip to Manchester United on 9th March to take on the Red Devils in an FA Cup quarter-final tie.
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