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Does Per Mertesacker Update Mean Gabriel Has Not Won Arsenal Job Yet?

By Josh Sippie

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Over the weekend, Gabriel Paulista was given the start for Arsenal over Per Mertesacker. It seemed as though Gabriel had therefore claimed the starting role from Mertesacker. It would be hard to argue with such a decision. After all, in 5 matches together at Arsenal, Laurent Koscielny and Gabriel Paulista have not lost and they have conceded just 1 goal. They are quite the duo.

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However, it has since been noted that Per Mertesacker was still suffering from the same virus that has kept him out of action the past two weeks. Meaning that in the end, Gabriel had not won the starting job, it was just a case of not having any other options.

To make matters even worse for the big German, he got in a car accident after hydroplaning in a down pour. Mertesacker was not hurt, although he was shaken. Reports indicate that Mertesacker will not be ready to face Dinamo Zagreb at midweek either.

There are quite a lot of things to draw from all of this. The first of which is that whatever is afflicting Mertesacker is serious. To be unable to play for 18 days is not something a normal stomach flu would do. Hopefully that can get sorted out in and of itself.

It also means that Gabriel is not our first choice starter just yet. Knowing Arsene Wenger, he is going to give Mertesacker every chance in the world to retain his position. It will lead to obvious backlash. But until the German does something to jeopardize his own position, Wenger will not bench him. Or at least that is what the old Wenger would do.

The new Wenger did allow Hector Bellerin to maintain his position at Arsenal despite Mathieu Debuchy returning from injury. However, further injuries helped the decision. In the end though, it was Bellerin’s undeniable qualities that kept him in the starting XI.

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What this all comes down to is a need for Gabriel Paulista to prove that he is the man for the starting job at Arsenal. It really does rest solely on his shoulders. Wenger has a stingy past but he is a reasonable man that wants what is best for the team. Per Mertesacker is still a great defender and a tremendous asset but as it stands, the duo of Koscielny and Gabriel is what is best for Arsenal.

This team has become anchored by the triangle of Koscielny, Gabriel and Francis Coquelin. That trifecta should not be tampered with. But again, it is in Gabriel’s hands. If he performs he will be given the spot. It may take longer than it would with other managers, but that is what breeds loyalty. Not only that, but Gabriel is going to get another chance against Zagreb. It would be surprising to see anything but what we have been seeing lately from him.

Next: Where do Arsenal as of now?

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