Arsene Wenger set to give Paulista his debut against Middlesbrough on Sunday

Tomiwa Babalola

Arsenal's January signing, Gabriel Paulista is giving the Gunners boss, Arsene Wenger headache over his inability to converse in English.

Paulista moved to the Emirates during the winter transfer window for £11m from joined from Spanish club Villarreal last month, and, the Frenchman has said that the 24-years old English is "very bad" and "a problem", but may still give the Brazilian his debut against Middlesbrough in the FA Cup.

The Wenger-led side will face championship side, Middlesbrough, who ousted English Premier League champions, Manchester City in the 4th round of the Cup.

"When you don't speak English and you don't understand 'Come out, come back, right, left', it is a problem for a defender," Wenger said.

"You need to know the key words. Offside. Referee. Foul."

Wenger may give Paulista a chance if he decides to rest German defender, Per Mertesacker ahead of their champions league 2nd round game next week.

Wenger says the Brazilian has "the physicality and motivation" and "an opportunity to show that now".

The Frenchman, who managed Japanese club Grampus Eight immediately before becoming Arsenal boss in 1996, sympathised with Gabriel's communication difficulties and added that not understanding the local language can actually have an advantage.

"The players are always under tremendous pressure because everything they do is analysed by the pundits and the press," Wenger added.

"The modern player has to live with that - resistance to stress has to be stronger than it was 10 years ago.

"He (Gabriel) will not read the press. He will just focus on his game - that is one of the advantages.

"When I was in Japan, people could say what they wanted." BBC