Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has claimed it would have been negligent if he had not signed an additional defender in this transfer window, having completing the signing of Gabriel Paulista.
Wenger made his move to sign Villarreal's centre-back despite concerns over whether the 24-year-old Brazilian would get a work permit, yet that hurdle was overcome by the Gunners as the deal was concluded on Wednesday.
The Arsenal boss is convinced he has signed a player who can provide his defensive line with additional quality and versatility, and has been impressed by what he has seen so far from his new signing.
"He has good pace, he's good in the challenge and he's tall, so he can adapt to English football," Wenger told the club's official website. "Maybe it will take some time to adapt completely, but overall it's very good to have him.
"He's very ambitious, focused and serious. That's important at a club like ours -- you need to have a complete focus on your job. He has that.
"It's another dream in my career that has come true" - Gabriel on joining @Arsenal http://t.co/nyfLOeYojS pic.twitter.com/XiAxxMbxXF
- Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) January 29, 2015
"I like the players who come from nowhere and show they can adapt. From Brazil, he has [then] adapted to Spain. That means he has already made it and adapted in another country. That's another important quality.
"We needed another centre-back because we have lost [Mathieu] Debuchy. [Nacho] Monreal can play centre-back and we are a bit short there if something happens, especially with the Achilles [problem] of [Laurent] Koscielny since the start of the season.
"We needed some cover, or we would not be responsible. [Gabriel] can play right-back and left-back, and that is of course a good quality as well."
Gabriel is likely to be in the Arsenal squad for the Premier League game against Aston Villa on Sunday, with his chances of making a swift Gunners debut increased by the persistent injury problems Arsenal's defenders are suffering from.