%20rotate(-8.06)%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22336.19%20136.81%20330.16%2094.25%20326.06%2071.19%20326.44%2071.13%20335.22%2093.54%20352.29%20134.52%20373.95%20131.46%20362.7%2052.01%20350.02%2053.8%20356.05%2096.36%20360.15%20119.42%20359.77%20119.48%20350.99%2097.08%20333.91%2056.09%20312.25%2059.15%20323.51%20138.6%20336.19%20136.81%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22402.91%2059.3%20412.36%20126.02%20427.17%20123.92%20417.72%2057.21%20431.59%2055.24%20429.79%2042.51%20387.23%2048.53%20389.04%2061.27%20402.91%2059.3%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22463.51%20118.77%20458.69%2084.71%20474.68%2082.44%20479.51%20116.5%20494.36%20114.4%20483.11%2034.95%20468.26%2037.06%20472.96%2070.25%20456.96%2072.52%20452.26%2039.32%20437.4%2041.43%20448.65%20120.88%20463.51%20118.77%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22540.5%20107.87%20538.77%2095.68%20518.91%2098.49%20515.77%2076.29%20535.63%2073.47%20533.93%2061.5%20514.07%2064.32%20511.11%2043.42%20530.98%2040.61%20529.25%2028.42%20494.53%2033.34%20505.78%20112.78%20540.5%20107.87%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22299.03%20155.17%20301.29%20171.58%20542.78%20138.39%20540.5%20121.97%20299.03%20155.17%22%2F%3E%0A%3C%2Fsvg%3E)
Arsenal: Where Does Shkodran Mustafi Signing Leave Gabriel?
Arsenal are reportedly set to complete the signing of Shkodran Mustafi next week. Where does the prospective addition leave Gabriel Paulista?
Adding players to an already large squad will always cause unrest. Only eleven players can start each game and that will result in many talented players not receiving the playing time that they would like and feel as though they enjoy, and it is often a problem for Arsenal each and every season.
Related Story: Predicted Starting XI To Face Liverpool
They are now close to adding a much-needed centre-half, as they are expected to complete a £28 million move for Shkodran Mustafi, with the Valencia defender expected to come in and start immediately alongside Laurent Koscielny when he returns from his extended summer break.
More from Pain in the Arsenal
- 3 observations from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
- 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
- 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
- Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
- 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
That means that all of a sudden, Arsenal have a lot, if not particularly great, centre-backs. Koscielny will certainly be the number one option, and I would expect Mustafi to become the number two. If this move is completed, then that is the short term future of Arsenal’s back four, at least for the next few years.
The long-term future, though, is in the hands of Calum Chambers, Rob Holding and Krystian Bielik. The trio are extremely talented and have displayed an ability to improve upon over the coming years, and although their inexperience is an issue, with time, coaching and development, they could well progress into world class centre-halves.
These two groups, along with Per Mertesacker who will become the experienced, senior member of the group, leaves one man falling through the gaps in the middle. Gabriel Paulista has not looked convincing since his move to the Emirates, and if Mustafi comes in, he would, in principle be a direct replacement for him.
Both aged in their mid-twenties, the two would be expected to start regularly now while also then providing a link to the young trio of defenders already in the squad. Gabriel, though, has not displayed an ability to become this player, and Mustafi is by far the superior player of the two.
Next: Top 5 Fantasy Football Options
A deal is clearly still a long way from being completed. Nonetheless, it is looking as though it may happen, and if it does, Gabriel Paulista could be the man to miss out on regular playing time as a result, and that is not necessarily a bad thing for Arsenal.