Gabriel Paulista: 'I would be blamed for Arsenal losses'

Gabriel Paulista has claimed that he was the scapegoat at Arsenal whenever he played and the team lost.

The Brazilian spent two-and-a-half years at the Emirates before being sold to Valencia in January for around £10m.

The 27-year-old, who struggled to cement a regular place in Arsene Wenger's team, was guilty of making blunders at the back, but he believes that blame was wrongly placed on him.

"Sometimes I played because my teammates were injured," Gabriel told Sky Sports News. "I did play and sometimes even after playing well, I'd go home sad, given that I was only playing because my teammate was injured. I don't think I deserved that.

"I think I had the ability to play and to start games because I deserved to do so, or because I did well in training, but that didn't happen.

"Sometimes I'd play three or four games and if Arsenal lost, I'd be dropped and everyone on the outside would say, 'It's Gabriel's fault.' That wasn't good for me. People thought, 'When that guy plays, Arsenal always lose.'"

Gabriel has made nine appearances in La Liga this season.