Arsenal vs Chelsea: Arsene Wenger backs Gabriel Paulista to flourish if Per Mertesacker is sidelined for Sunday's Premier League clash

German defender Mertesacker 'is still in the treatment room'

Gabriel in action for Arsenal (GETTY IMAGES)

Arsene Wenger has backed Brazilian defender Gabriel to rise to the challenge if he is needed to face Chelsea on Sunday afternoon.

Per Mertesacker is a doubt for the game at the Emirates, having got injured in the FA Cup semi-final against Reading last Saturday evening. Mertesacker, as Wenger revealed at his pre-match press conference this morning, has not trained since. “He is still in the treatment room,” Wenger said, “and I don’t know if he will be available or not.”

Even though Wenger described Mertesacker’s chances of playing as “50/50”, it will be an impressive turnaround if he is ready for Sunday’s game with the Premier League leaders. If he does not make it, then Gabriel – a £10million January signing from Villarreal – is likely to fill in. Gabriel has started four games for Arsenal since joining and, despite not speaking a word of English, has settled in well.

“He’s ready [to step up],” Wenger said this morning. “He came on in the FA Cup semi-final and I think if Per is not ready, Gabriel will start.”

Alexis Sanchez and David Ospina have also settled in well at Arsenal this season, and Wenger is confident in Gabriel’s ability to cope with the pace of a big game. “The South Americans are ready to come into English football now and they adapt very well,” Wenger said. “Sometimes they have gone through another country, like Gabriel has played at Villarreal and that certainly quickens the adaptation in England. They already know what is expected from them.” Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Mikel Arteta are both out of Sunday’s game.