Martin Keown has said that Gabriel Paulista is Arsenal's best defender.

The Brazilian has been criticised following his sending-off in the Reds' 2-0 loss to Chelsea.

"I'd definitely play Gabriel. I don't understand the concern over him. I'll put my reputation on the line and say that he could better than all of Arsenal's defenders," Keown wrote in the Daily Mail.

"First and foremost, he's there to defend and he knows his strengths and weaknesses. He's good in a one-v-one situation, he's very strong in the air and he's tidy in possession. He has all the qualities to be a top centre-half."

Gabriel signed for Arsenal in January for a fee of £11.5m.

Written by
Jonathan McIntosh