Gabriel Paulista could make his debut in defence when the FA Cup holders Arsenal play Middlesbrough in Sunday’s quarter-final at the Emirates Stadium.

The defender moved to London from Villarreal during the January transfer window and Arsène Wenger said on Friday that his bow for the club was coming soon.

“He’s very close [to making his debut]. He likes to defend. It’s more and more difficult to find people like that. [He is] a player who has overall good qualities: good pace, good in the air, good in one against one. But it’s best I don’t talk too much and let him play and he shows how good he is.”