Arsene Wenger has paid tribute to defender Laurent Koscielny for his "outstanding" performance in Arsenal's 2-0 home win over Stoke City this afternoon.
Goals from Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud were enough as the Gunners dispatched Mark Hughes's side to move second in the Premier League table.
However, Wenger was especially pleased with the way in which Koscielny and centre-back partner Gabriel - who deputised for the ill Per Mertesacker - thwarted the Potters' attack.
"They looked very strong as Stoke had quite an offensive force out there and I felt Koscielny was outstanding and Gabriel had a very good game," he told the club's official website.
Mertesacker also missed the 1-0 win at Newcastle United two weeks ago with a chest infection as Gabriel impressed alongside the French defender again.
However, Wenger added that the German need not worry about winning his place back in the Gunners' first XI.
"He should not worry. He should just come back and play. It is good we have four centre-backs and this produces a problem."
Arsenal, who travel away to Dinamo Zagreb for their Champions League opener on Wednesday, face stuttering Chelsea at Stamford Bridge next Saturday.
Shane Callaghan
