Two former Arsenal stars helped Valencia beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the Champions League on Tuesday, and it appears as if one of them is missed at the Emirates by the Gunners faithful.
Gabriel Paulista and Francis Coquelin both played the full 90 minutes for the La Liga side, with Rodrigo’s second-half strike the difference as Frank Lampard suffered defeat in his first taste of managing in Europe’s elite club competition.
Centre-back Gabriel spent three seasons with Arsenal and won two FA Cups before joining Valencia, and his solid display alongside Ezequiel Garay left many Gunners fans talking.
These Arsenal supporters were quick to praise the Brazilian on social media, with some questioning the club’s decision to sell the defender.
Twitter: Unpopular opinion:
Paulista and Coquelin would both walk in to our current starting XI.
#Arsenal (@AFC_AdidasEra)
Twitter: @AFC_AdidasEra Its not even an unpopular opinion, most of us will take them over the present bunch at the back (@WillyLanister)
Twitter: @Stuart_PhotoAFC @valenciacf_en Tho we didn’t give Paulista chance.. he step up his game now (@tennitons)
Twitter: Gabriel putting in a. Masterclass in the champions League but Wenger and co thought it was wise to sell him and keep bums (@terabyteAFC)
Read Arsenal verdict
Right now, it’s easy to see why these Arsenal fans are missing the 28-year-old.
Unai Emery’s defensive problems have continued into the current campaign, with the Gunners already facing 96 shots in their opening five games, more than any other side in Europe’s top five leagues.
Gabriel, who was fairly hit and miss during his time in north London, would arguably be a better option than the disappointing Sokratis and David Luiz and would definitely be above Shkodran Mustafi in the pecking order.
Callum Chambers and Rob Holding are two more central defensive options available to the Spaniard, who could decide to mix things up for this weekend’s fixture against Aston Villa.
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