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As all of us at TSF expected, new Arsenal defender Gabriel Paulista was granted the most defendery number still available. Arsenal, as is now the custom with its new jersey unveilings, announced the official numbering via its Instagram account earlier today.
The #5 jersey was last worn, of course, by former captain Thomas Vermaelen, who is recovering from a hamstring injury after half a season of sitting in a comfy sideline chair (and occasionally playing in the reserve squad) for Barcelona.
The Instagram account also included this picture of the new defender, who looks positively thrilled to be part of his new soccer family!
The signing is, of course, the second piece of ingoing business that Arsenal has done this transfer window, also bringing in youth player Krystian Bielik. The January transfer window closes on Monday at 11:30 pm BT (6:30 pm ET).