Arsene Wenger made some questionable signings in defence in his final few years at Arsenal, but most of his former defenders have now retired.
Per Mertesacker is now heading up Arsenal’s academy, whilst Laurent Koscielny has become FC Lorient’s director of football.
When Arsenal last finished in the top four under Wenger, this was his starting partnership in defence, with Brazilian centre-back Gabriel Paulista rotating in, with sometimes disastrous results.
Gabriel Paulista joined from Villarreal for around £10m in January 2015, but after an initially bright start, his defensive deficiencies became apparent, and by the end of the 2016-17 season, he returned to Spain with Valencia.
The centre-back performed superbly for Valencia before Gabriel made a surprise move to Atletico Madrid in January, and he is now on the move again.
Former Arsenal defender Gabriel Paulista set to join Besiktas
Gabriel is now set to join Turkish side Besiktas, having made just five appearances for Atletico Madrid, and this move will see him link up with another player let go by Arsene Wenger.
Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that a deal has been agreed to end the 33-year-old’s stay in Spain, which saw him make 220 appearances for Valencia since departing the Emirates.
He will be the latest former Arsenal flop to move to the Turkish league, with Lucas Torreira winning the title with Besiktas, and Nicolas Pepe losing the cup final in a brutal manner with Trabzonspor.
“Besiktas have sealed deal to sign Gabriel Paulista from Atletico Madrid, done and set to be completed.” Romano posted on X.
Gabriel Paulista to join Giovanni van Bronckhorst at Besiktas
Giovanni van Bronckhorst was at times an impressive defender for Arsenal, but with Ashley Cole becoming the first-choice option at left-back, Wenger decided to let Van Bronckhorst join Barcelona to make space for a teenage Gael Clichy.
The Dutchman went on to win the Champions League and appear in a World Cup final before hanging up his boots, and in his managerial career, he took Rangers to the Europa League final.
He is now manager of Besiktas, and he will now work with Gabriel. Both defenders were discarded by Wenger before succeeding in La Liga, and they will now link up in a somewhat surprising move.
Gabriel made 64 appearances for Arsenal, but developed a maturity at Valencia that he did not yet have in his time at the Emirates.