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Paulista signing for Arsenal imminent, Wenger confirms

Arsene Wenger has confirmed Arsenal are "very, very, very close" to completing a deal for Villarreal defender Gabriel Paulista.

On Saturday, Villarreal confirmed the 24-year-old would leave Spain and, following Arsenal's 3-2 FA Cup fourth round victory against Brighton on Sunday, Wenger said the Brazilian's arrival was imminent.

"It's on the line and I think we'll get over the line tonight and tomorrow," Wenger said after his side's win at the Amex Stadium. "He is 24 years old - a good size, good pace and he is a good defender. Of course he has played for only one year in Europe, perhaps there are some things to work on but the potential is there."

There were concerns that, having not played for Brazil, Paulista would not be granted a work permit but Wenger added: "It will be alright on that front."

The news will no doubt please Arsenal fans on the afternoon their club kept alive hopes of retaining the FA Cup, thanks to goals from Theo Walcott, Mesut Ozil and Tomas Rosicky on the south coast.

Wenger said: "We'll be one of the favourites, because I think Manchester United might go through and some of the other Premier League sides will go through. We'll be among these teams but you cannot predict who will win it.

"With yesterday's results you would be a bit cautious [about being favourites], the cup is the cup and what you want is the focus on the next round and to go through.

"We have good experience from last season to know that every round is different and the most difficult games were not especially the most expected ones last season. So let's wait for the [fifth round] draw. Of course we fight and we want to retain our cup, but it's too long to go to say that.

"We have good momentum now but we must keep the urgency level very high; we know how quickly the momentum can die in football if you drop your quality. The results yesterday were a big subconscious warning for us, it wakes you up a bit, and you think 'okay it's a Championship team', but at the lower level now the players are prepared.

"They come out of the academies, do not make it in the Premier League but they are not far from it; they can maintain the pace for 90 minutes and in these kinds of ties they never give up. The first shock was not to believe it [Saturday's results]; you check twice the result, and then you think 'oh, we are in a fight for tomorrow's game as well'."

Wenger admitted he has never been blessed with such an array of fit and in-form attacking talents approaching the business end of a season at Arsenal. Both Walcott and Ozil impressed on their return to the starting line-up, while veteran Rosicky's volley ultimately sealed the tie.

"Last year we lost many players in January, and this year they come back because they've been out earlier. For a first game [for Walcott] it was encouraging, and Ozil as well," Wenger added.

"Maybe they dropped a little bit physically in the second half but overall they were ready. Tomas [Rosicky] was wonderful: a player we all love and if you love football, you love Rosicky. On top of that he's a fantastic character. He scored and I'm very pleased for him."

Tomas Rosicky's volley was the deciding goal against Brighton © Getty Images

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