January transfer has yet to start for the Gunners…
Per Mertesacker has said he will turn Arsenal new-boy Gabriel into a star for the North London club following his January move from La Liga side Villarreal.
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Arsene Wenger has already lavished praise on the 24 year old after the Gunners spent a not too expensive £11.2 million to snatch him up from Spain.
And Arsenal vice-captain Per Mertesakcer agrees, saying the Brazilian’s signing is very promising and he definitely has talent.
“He is a talent and I think we will get him to the level he needs because he has that potential,” said Mertesacker, reports Sky Sports.
“From my point of view, it is very promising because we were short at the back, especially in the centre position. We suffered a lot and had to change so many positions.
“It was a needed position to get everyone going and keep him on his natural position is very important.”
The North Londoners have suffered an incredible number of injuries at the back this season that has seen the likes of summer signing Calum Chambers and left back Nacho Monreal deputise in the centre of the Gunners defence.
Laurent Koscielny, for instance, has suffered with continual tendinitis in his achilles tendons whilst Mathieu Debuchy will have been left on the sidelines for almost six months this season after two freak injuries.
With the addition of Gabriel, however, the Gunners have an able option in reserve and provide some much needed competition, something which Mertesacker says is vital to the side’s potential successes.
“We suffered a lot at times with injuries, but also with results. We want a very deep squad and we look much better now,” said Mertesacker.
“We have that competition in our team and have an addition with a centre-back now, so I think we have a deep and good squad at the moment.”
The Brazilian could even make his Gunners debut this weekend in the North London Derby.