Very Koscielny this signing. Even the price tag seems to be similar.
Read that he was voted into the team of the season twice in Brazil's league, although both were 2nd division, again similar to Kos.
Gabby Paulista
He's probably the best option available in the window at our budget. Hopefully he improves when he settles at Cb.
Wenger says this will be done tomorrow, and we'll be 'alright' with the work permit.
"Look, a player who is 24 years old, has a good size, good pace and he's a good defender. Of course he plays only for 1 year in Europe maybe there are some things to work on but the potential is there."
Wenger after the match.
Sounds like Wenger knows what he's getting.
Interesting that he says Paulista has a good size. I don't trust the internet so i'm gonna wait to see just how tall he is.
He'll be 1,85m or 6 ft 1 no matter how tall you think he looks.
How do you know how tall he is?
Easily 7 ft 2 at the very least.
Looks a little Bale-like in that pic.
ludovic van zis wrote:How do you know how tall he is?
WhoScored and Squawka may not be good ways to judge players, but they do know their statistics.
They nick the general info off Wikipedia. Don't trust 'em.
Since Wikipedia says 1.87 I think you are wrong.
The whoscored dude must've written it down wrong. Only possible explanation. 8)
qs! wrote:We don't pay over £10m for players Wenger doesn't rate.
Gabriel Paulista's move to Arsenal receives Home Office work permit blessing
Central defender has medical in London ahead of £11.3m move after Home Office give green light to signing from Villarreal
Never in doubt, welcome to Arsenal!
I know next to nothing about this guy's ability but, after seeing the value of Le Coq's contribution, i hope he is a complementary cog in our system. So, yeah, welcominho and please don't be an Andre Santos.
Ospina
Gabby - Kos
Le Coq - Ramsey
Alexis
New spine 2015?
The 'per game' stats can be a little deceptive given that at a club like Villarreal he's likely to face more attacks. And to flip the coin, it might also explain why his tackle success rate is lower. What the stats do kinda confirm is that he's definitely more of a Koscielny than a Mert, but we knew that anyway.
Jed wrote:Ospina
Gabby - Kos
Le Coq - Ramsey
Alexis
New spine 2015?
I hope not.
Isn't a 57% percentage very low for a CB? What exactly would count as a failed tackle? Being dribbled past by?
The way I understand it he's been used a lot as a fullback on both flanks too. That might bring the stats down a bit.
Does that mean he's relatively quick for a CB?
otfgoon wrote:The 'per game' stats can be a little deceptive given that at a club like Villarreal he's likely to face more attacks. And to flip the coin, it might also explain why his tackle success rate is lower. What the stats do kinda confirm is that he's definitely more of a Koscielny than a Mert, but we knew that anyway.
But they concede less. Hopefully he's part of the reason.
qs! wrote:Does that mean he's relatively quick for a CB?
Looks pacy from highlights and its been mentioned about him in scouting reports.
He looks a pretty ancient 24 
This should be confirmed tomorrow then?
Where's the drama in that?!
Good write up here - sounds promising.
qs! wrote:Does that mean he's relatively quick for a CB?
I think so, yeah. He's supposedly one of the quickest defenders in Spain.
Asterix wrote:Good write up here - sounds promising.
is described by those close to the Villarreal dressing room as obsessed with improving
This trait seems to be one of Wenger's favorites. You often see it mentioned in AW's interviews.
described by those close to the Villarreal dressing room as obsessed with improving.
Ha - that's exactly what drew my attention as well, and I agree this would be key for Wengus.
Also good to know as I wasn't too impressed by vids I saw till now.
Why isn't this announced yet? seems like it was done days ago :brow:
The media part (photoshoot, interview) was done yesterday, so you know we're waiting on the guys in the editing room. Probably announced today.
Getting closer ...
Is Joel going on loan or permanent?
Reported as loan, i believe. But there's some interest in Spain for a permanent as well. Multiple clubs, most notably Real Sociedad wanted him, but Villareal insisted on a loan deal (probably with some kind of first refusal clause to buy) as part of the Gabriel deal.
Either way, i believe Joel will do really well in La Liga. Probably going to be the next Carlos Vela. I feel he will thrive in the environment over there, our disciplined passing ways never suited him. Always looked so uncomfortable whenever he had to play a combination play for us.
Oh, and everyone will moan at Wenger for letting him go once he puts in a few good performances. Most definitely.
Got a 1m euro loan fee as well.
See ya Joel. Barely would've played for the rest of the season any way, good luck.
Paulista looks like a potentially great signing. I foresee many overblown claims about rashness and poor judgement in the next couple of months as he beds down.
This is how I imagine the IT guys at arsenal.com :
They are always so late to put this things up.
Anyway, Welcome Paulista...
What a couple of days for the Arsenal community eh ? We get a new defender and we get ME on this site...good stuff.
welcome home, Steak