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Gabriel Paulista Has Won the Starting Role at Arsenal

By Josh Sippie

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Gabriel Paulista was again called on by Arsenal to fill in for Per Mertesacker against Newcastle. The result was conclusive. Despite the fact that he is the third center back, our Brazilian proved that he is ready to take over at this very moment. He should be preferred to the BFG in the center of the defense. His pace and aggression make him the perfect candidate to be Laurent Koscielny’s No. 2. This is exemplified by the fact that Gabriel is a near carbon copy of Koscielny except for the fact that he is younger and Brazilian.

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However, simply proving that he has earned the right to start does not give him the right to start. Gabriel Paulista still has to prove that he is worthy of getting the nod ahead of Mertesacker. That will take more than just a couple performances when considering how much Arsene Wenger values his German. As the vice-captain, he always maintains a level head and while his pace is nonexistent, he does excel in positioning.

That being said, if Arsene Wenger wants to put out the best possible defense forward for Arsenal, he has to put out Gabriel ahead of Mertesacker. Both have played two full, 90 minute matches and these are the statistical results via Squawka.

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Looking at the stats just from this year, Gabriel is outshining Mertesacker. However the numbers do not say enough. Gabriel is outshining Mertesacker at the German’s strong suits, namely tackling and clearances. Our Brazilian centerback is an intercepting machine as well as a more prominent aerial threat. He just has not had a chance to flex that ability yet.

Not only that, but putting Paulista on the back line makes the pace of Arsenal’s defensive line magnificent. Whereas Per Mertesacker is a liability when isolated or forced into a foot race, Gabriel Paulista will win the footrace. When in one on one situations, Paulista either wins the ball or takes out the opposition.

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Essentially, Paulista is like Francis Coquelin, except a center back. He times his tackles perfectly, reads the opposition soundly and hops in to make interceptions with ease. With him next to Koscielny, Arsenal’s defensive presence is much more proactive as opposed to reactive. They can keep pace with just about any attacker and they can physically compete with just about any attacker as well.

When Arsenal first acquired Gabriel Paulista, he showed some excellent signs but he also displayed some questionable decision-making. He has shaken off those jitters. He even outperformed Laurent Koscielny against Newcastle in the process of securing 3 points.

It may not come right away, but Arsene Wenger has to realize that Gabriel Paulista needs to be in Arsenal’s starting XI.

Next: Arsene Wenger has dug a massive hole

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