Wenger confident Gabriel of adapting to the EPL

Tomiwa Babalola

Arsene Wenger has described the new signing, Gabriel as a player with great qualities to adapt to the new life in the English Premier League without problems.

The Brazilian has been included in Arsenal's squad for Sunday's game against Aston Villa following his big-money move from Villarreal earlier this week.

“His great quality for a defender is his level of concentration," said the Arsenal manager. "He is physically capable of adapting to the Premier League because he’s a good size and quick as well.

“He commits well into challenges and he’s young, just 24, a good age for a defender.

"Maybe it will take some time to adapt completely but overall it is very good to have him.

"This season he has played every game for Villarreal and we have seen him many times. We are convinced about his quality.

"He is very ambitious, focused and serious. That is important at a club like ours. You need to have a complete focus on your job. He has that.

"I like players who come from nowhere and show they can adapt. From Brazil, he has adapted to Spain. That means he has already made it and adapted in another country, and so that is another important quality."        

And Wenger has assured Joel Campbell, who headed in the opposite direction on a loan deal until the end of the season, he still has a future at the Emirates.

“Joel needs games," he said. "At Arsenal, it is a bit obstructed for him because there are too many players in the same position.

“He’s worked hard every day for six months but didn’t get enough chances to play. So we wanted him to get experience at the top level and that’s why he’s gone to Spain.”