You see, this is our major issue with Arsene Wenger.
The Arsenal coach can’t bring himself to spend upwards of £25m on a top class defender.
So he instead pays £15m for Paulista and never uses him.
This lad is 24 years of age and surely it’s now or never for him at Arsenal?
Per Mertesacker has much more experience but increasingly looks like he’s treading water as his pace slowly deserts him.
Yet Paulista, who was called up to the Brazil squad earlier this year, hasn’t seen a minute of action so far in this campaign.
Yes, we are only two games in. But for the price of Callum Chambers and Paulista Arsenal could have bought a centre back who would have immediately improved the first team – a Hummels, Otamendi or Stones.
We really hope that Paulista does see some action this season but our sense is that Wenger doesn’t completely trust the Brazilian. So why buy him?
Rant aside, Arsenal improved on their first result and performance at the weekend but they still need to find more form and will hope that a victory over Liverpool can act as a springboard.
Only Jack Wilshere, Tomas Rosicky and Danny Welbeck remain injured.
But it’s going to be a tough one against a side who has a lot of new attacking talent.
It’s the pick of the games of Matchday 3 (Kick Off 2000 Local Time, Monday 24th August).
Here’s our XI. Arsenal fans: let’s have yours.
