Gabriel set for Arsenal return! But does he still have a future here?

Gabriel Paulista looked at one stage as if he was going to be the future of Arsenal’s central defence for many years to come. It was anticipated that he could strike up a partnership with Koscielny instead of Per Mertesacker and that he would eventually be paired with Chambers or another player post Koscielny. However this no longer seems to be the case, with two new additions to the defence and an injury later, Gabriel seems to have fallen down the pecking order at Arsenal.

In my opinion Gabriel used to be third choice in the centre of defence behind Mertesacker and Koscielny and it was often a bench role that Wenger had given the Brazilian. This season I thought that Gabriel may overtake Mertesacker into the starting line-up, despite my personal opinion of not being convinced on him. Instead an injury in pre-season saw Gabriel ruled out for a number of months and since then, Arsenal have two new faces in Mustafi and Holding join the ranks.

Gabriel is now set for a return to the Arsenal squad, for the Gunners trip to Nottingham Forest. Arsenal face Forest in the Football League cup and it is normally used as a chance for the Gunners to play some of the younger or fringe players at the club. After returning to training, Gabriel is set to now be included in the squad and may even start with the likes of Koscielny sure to be given a rest. But could cup game appearances be what the future holds for Gabriel at Arsenal?

I have never been entirely convinced by Gabriel in his time at Arsenal. When he arrived at the club, I felt the move was promising and I had hoped that he would turn into a centre back to be at the heart of defence for many seasons to come. However his lack of communication on the pitch, overly aggressive and clumsy approach, often means that he leaves the Gunners in tough situations at the back. It may only have been just over one and a half years for Gabriel at Arsenal, given he joined back in January 2015, but this is his third season with the Gunners and he doesn’t seem to have improved at all. With the recent additions of Mustafi and Holding, both of whom have impressed massively, not to forget that Arsenal will continue to invest time and effort into Chambers, I can see Gabriel becoming a player who is used sparingly, before an eventual sale.

Gabriel may currently be up in the pecking order with Mertesacker still injured and Chambers out on loan, but when all defenders are available, I rank Gabriel behind Koscielny, Mustafi, Holding and Chambers, meaning that currently Gabriel ranks as 5th choice. Does Gabriel lack a future at Arsenal?

By AH

15 Comments

  1. Chambers to be given time lol absolutely useless player waste of 16mill let me get that off my chest.

    Listen Gabriel may have been here since Jan 2015 but that lads nor consistently played yes he’s had some games looking a bit iffy but he’s also had games where he has looked extremely good.

    The lad has all the attributes to a very good centre back, does the person writing this article only watched arsenal for a season or 2 did u not see koscielny in his first 2/3 seasons he was shockingly poor , giroud donkey Walcott et players who have been given years but are still utter garbage.

    I rest my case

    1. Holden has had a few games, but remember how chamberlain was in beginning!

      Mustafi has been mixed imo, some good stuff but some poor stuff.

      I think Mustafi and Gabriel are the future, with Holding being a solid 3rd.

      @Twig spelling done just for you ?

  2. Competition is good for the team….Gab will be looking at the defense (Mustafi, Holding) and he will definitely want to give his best. Let’s remember we will play so many games this season. Fatigue will set in at some point so ensuring players are up-to the task is very essential.

  3. According to most peoples logic, if you are not in the starting 11 you have no Arsenal future. Am sorry, but you can’t play 60 games with 11 players. We have loads of games around the corner and everyone should have an opportunity to impress. Work hard in training and be ready .

    Gabrielle will have a great Arsenal career , remember koscieny ? He was also poor at the beginninG .keep the faith Gaby.

  4. ———————–0spina——————–

    Debuchy—-Holding—–Gabby—–Gibbs

    ———–Xhaka(C)——–Elneny————-

    Ox—————-Jeff Rene——Akpom

    ———————-Perez———————–

    1. Xhaka needs rest for Chelsea.
      I want him to play 100% fit.
      Maybe Bielik or Adelaide at CM.
      Then Perez can play CAM, his natural position, and Akpom upfront.

  5. Does Gabby have a future here? Well, that’s up to him, all he needs is grab any opportunity he has with both hands. And another opportunity presents itself tonight. If he can grab the chance he has tonight and play the game of his life then repeat the same whenever he gets a chance, then certainly he has a future here.

    1. he hasnt played for ages
      he had a great run when he got here, then got benched an it unsettled him

      hes not gonna be paolo maldini tonight, will need time
      an patience- like koscielny was given

      game of his life yeah right…dont ask for much do you

  6. A few poor games do not make a player bad. Otherwise, Koscielny, Ozil and Monreal still won’t be at Arsenal. I really wonder what the OP is s̶m̶o̶k̶i̶n̶g̶ thinking.

  7. i thoroughly believe in lil’ lucio

    gabe will come good, when he got here he showed all the no nonsense defending of tony adams
    he lost his way with being benched alot and change in personnel

    but i believe in him

  8. I personally cannot understand why Mr Wenger decided to spend as much as 35 million on Mustafi despite having Koscielny, Gabriel, Chambers and Holding at the club. He also has Monreal and Debuchy who could also play that position plus mertesacker will be back soon. Chambers is competent in a number of positions he should never have been sent on loan.

    I cannot see Gabriel seating on a bench at the age of 26 in two months time waiting for Koscielny to retire or injuries to be a regular in Arsenal team. Gabriel will demand a move soon if he continue to be left on the bench, Mr Wenger had enough quality defenders at the club to work with, spending 35 million on transfer fee for Mustafi is a waste of money and can be considered lazy management from Mr Wenger base on what he already has.

  9. Does Gabriel have a future? Absolutely, Mertsacker isn’t going to be here forever, Kos isn’t getting any younger which leaves Mustafi, Chambers (maybe), Gabriel and Holding as the four central defenders for the future as things stand. Arsenal will no doubt look for other players to come in.

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