Arsenal v Everton: Gabriel Paulista proving more successful than Per Mertesacker after 45 minutes

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Per Mertesacker was dropped by Arsene Wenger for today's game against Everton following a run of poor form - and the change looks to have paid immediate dividends.

Gabriel Paulista, his replacement, the defender signed from Villareal in January, managed just one tackle in the opening half of the game at the Emirates - but that was still more than the German made in his last 180 minutes of football.

Mertesacker has frequently been the subject of Arsenal fans' ire during his time in north London, with Wenger finally dropping the centre back following the midweek horror-show against Monaco in the Champions League.

Paulista has been solid rather than spectacular so far on his debut - but compared with how badly Mertesacker has been performing, the Brazilian seems like a combination of Sol Campbell, Franco Baresi and Fabio Cannavaro.