Wenger - Gabriel is ready to go

Arsene Wenger says new signing Gabriel is “ready to go” in the Premier League - although he still needs to learn English.

The Brazilian centre back joined the club on Wednesday and will come straight into the Arsenal squad for their match against Aston Villa this weekend.

Wenger is delighted to have the 24-year-old at his disposal, and says he has all the qualities to succeed in England.

“What I saw was a great quality for a defender,” he said. “[He has a] good level of concentration, he’s physically able to adapt to the Premier League because he is quite a good size and he’s quick as well.

“He has great commitment in the challenges and he’s young. He’s 24 years old and that’s a good age for a central defender. He’s ready to go - he’ll be in the squad [for Sunday] certainly. He started training yesterday and he looks fit.

“You always need time to adapt, especially in a defensive position because you need to know your partners. At the moment he does not speak a word of English and that can cost you goals. If you mix going forwards with going backwards, it can cost you.

“It is a position where you need to know your partners and you need to communicate as well. We will try to teach him the important words. ‘Offside’ for example or ‘Look at the linesman’!”

Wenger says Gabriel will provide real competition for Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny in defence at a vital point in the season.

“He’s a specialist at centre back because we’ve played many times this season with Mathieu Debuchy and Nacho Monreal out of position, who did quite well,” the manager said.

“But it gives us another specialist in this position. We now have three and with the fixtures we have in front of us that is needed.

“We are in a job where competition exists and people of the moment play. Form is swinging and as well nobody is absolutely in top form for 365 days so you have to accept that.”