According to reports today, Arsenal’s latest recruit has passed his medical and will be given the number five shirt when he is officially announced.

With a work permit secured and the medical complete, it now only seems like a matter of time before he is revealed by the Gunners hierarchy.

The number five shirt has been vacant all season after Arsenal sold Thomas Vermaelen to Barcelona and while it seems supposition at the minute, the number choice would make perfect sense.

Worn previously by players such as Martin Keown, Steve Bould, and Kolo ‘Invincible’ Toure, five is a centrebacks number and it is unlikely that the club will give him another.

While Sky Sports wasted no time in discussing how Gabriel wasn’t good enough for Arsenal, former player Charlie Nicholas has no such qualms.

Speaking to the very same people, Charlie said

“He’s not a natural passing centre-back. He’s a physical presence.

“Wenger doesn’t buy superstars really, I know he bought Sanchez and Ozil – but defensively he likes to create superstars.

“He’s not been too successful at it in the last few years, but he could groom this lad and he could eventually become the right player for Arsenal, but he needs time.”

It’s not clear when Arsenal will announce the deal formally but it shouldn’t be much longer.