Gabriel Paulista transfer was down to his exceptional stats, reveals Arsene Wenger  

• e-mail

Arsene Wenger has revealed the club's statistical scouting system played an integral role in the £11.2million signing of Gabriel Paulista from Villarreal.

However, the Arsenal manager insists statistical analysis is no substitute for watching a prospective new signing in action.

The Brazilian is in line to make his debut in Sunday's clash against Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium.

Gabriel Paulista trained with Arsenal for the first time on Friday following his £11.5m move from Villarreal

The 24-year-old, who does not speak English, will be thrust straight into the Arsenal squad for Sunday's game

Wenger hopes the defender will be able to adapt to the combative demands of the Premier League 

Analysis from the club's StatDNA system, that tracks players performances through numbers, played a key role in persuading Wenger to bring Gabriel – who will be having daily English lessons as he looks to overcome the language barrier - to the club.

'We look at interceptions, defensive errors, winning tackles, set piece receptions. Gabriel has good stats, 'said Wenger.

'Of course, it is difficult to watch all the games. But what I mean is that if the numbers confirm the eye, it gives you more.

'If a guy comes home and says “I’ve seen a good player”, you can statistically observe this player for five, six, seven games.

'You send him again, he comes back and says he’s a good player, and the numbers confirm, you can say the risk is limited. Though there is always a risk.'

Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez is a major doubt for his side's Premier League clash against Aston Villa

But Wenger is adamant old fashioned scouting techniques remain the best, adding: 'The most important thing is through the eye.

'The observation comes up, and then the stats back it up, because you can have good stats for a while but if you go out every night until 6 o’clock in the morning it won’t last.'

Meanwhile, Wenger, who revealed Alexis Sanchez is a doubt for the clash against Villa with a hamstring problem, says while Gabriel is fully-fit after his arrival from Spain – his biggest obstacle will be communication.

'At the moment he does not speak a word of English and that can cost you goals – but we are teaching him the important words...like offside,' said Wenger.

'I try to speak in Spanish with him, but he is more Portuguese-oriented because he didn’t play for a long time in Spain.'