Arsene Wenger: 'Gabriel Paulista's English is a problem'

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has admitted that new signing Gabriel Paulista's poor English may pose "a problem" when playing in defence for the Premier League club.

The 24-year-old centre-back joined from Spanish club Villarreal for a fee of £11m last month and is yet to play for the Gunners.

Wenger, referring to Paulista, told BBC Sport: "When you don't speak English and you don't understand 'Come out, come back, right, left', it is a problem for a defender.

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

The Brazilian may nevertheless make his debut for Arsenal in their FA Cup fifth-round tie against Middlesbrough on Sunday.