Arsenal legend Nigel Winterburn has given his tick of approval over the signing of Gabriel from Lille.

The Brazilian centre-back is expected to complete a switch to Arsenal this week after the two clubs agreed on a £27m fee.

Speaking in an interview with bookmakers.co.uk, Winterburn said: "When someone gets linked with Arsenal I tend to do a bit of research on them and have a look at what they're about.

"For me, it's all about the type of personnel you're getting as much as the ability. But he's highly regarded, a left-sided centre-half who is supposed to be very powerful.

"Arsenal have got problems at centre-half and they can't seem to get a consistent pairing together with the players they already have in that position, so it's quite obvious that that's a position Arteta feels he must strengthen."

Winterburn continued: "It looks like a really positive signing.

"The one slight worry I have is that it seems to be taking a very long time, even though he's been linked for a while and Arsenal seem to be the main contenders for his signature, but I'm always a bit weary of Arsenal signings when they don't get done quickly. But I still hope he signs for the club in the next few days."