Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says new signing Gabriel Paulista could be in the starting line-up when the Gunners take on Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.
The 24-year-old was an £11.2m addition to the Frenchman's squad and is fully fit to feature against Spurs.
"Gabriel can start," Wenger explained on Friday morning.
"At the moment he's ready to start, he's just not used to playing in our back four and he hasn't mastered the language at all. He's physically ready.
"At the moment I have no special temptation to switch in the middle of our defence because we are going through a strong spell defensively. But he's ready to play."
One player who will be missing for sure is in-form midfielder Alexis Sanchez.
But the Frenchman says there is enough depth in the squad to fill the void.
"We have enough offensive options, we are not short," the 65-year-old said.
"I think we have enough offensive power, if all of us perform individually and collectively, we can get above [Alexis Sanchez's absence]."
