Gabriel responds to Arsene Wenger by insisting he 'understands' his teammates

Arsenal defender Gabriel Paulista has responded to manager Arsene Wenger by insisting that he 'already understands' his teammates.

Prior to the Gunners' 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend, manager Arsene Wenger said that he wants the Brazilian to have a better understanding of English.

However, the defender has insisted that he communicates well with his teammates on the pitch.

"I already understand my teammates on the pitch. I still miss some things but I am improving," Gabriel told IBTimes UK. "I'm really well. I'm already 100% recovered from my last injury and now I just have to keep working to improve further.

"I still have a long way [to feel like a starter]. I'm working very hard [to get it] but the competition is high because my teammates are at the top level. I am training very hard and trying to take every opportunity in the games and I think I'm doing things right."

Gabriel started at the weekend due to Laurent Koscielny's injury.