LONDON -- Arsene Wenger is considering handing defender Gabriel Paulista his debut in Arsenal's FA Cup clash with Middlesbrough, while confirming that Wojciech Szczesny would start the game in goal.
Gabriel was Wenger's major signing of the winter transfer window, coming in from Villarreal to bolster Arsenal's options at centre-back.
After taking some time to settle at the club, Wenger said Sunday's fifth-round tie at the Emirates Stadium could be the time to field him for the first time.
"He is very close to playing," Wenger told a news conference. "He is a player who likes to defend and it is more and more difficult to find players like that.
"He has good qualities. He is good in the air, good pace and good in the one-on-ones. I will not talk too much. I will let him play and show how good he is.
"Some players will play who have not played recently, but not especially because it is the FA Cup. We treat this game exactly the same as a Premier League game."
Wenger confirmed that Szczesny will start against Championship leaders Boro, and he praised the Polish keeper's attitude since he had been dropped in favour of David Ospina amid reports that he was caught smoking in the dressing room following Arsenal's 2-0 defeat at Southampton on New Year's Day.
"[Szczesny] has responded very well, in a very focused way and he is ready to play," Wenger said. "I left Ospina in because he had done well, but Wojciech is completely ready and he has been impressive in training. At the moment Ospina plays [in the Premier League], but the position is open. We will see in the future."
Wenger suggested his side will need to be wary of Boro in Sunday's FA Cup tie, with Aitor Karanka's side earning their crack at Arsenal after pulling off a shock 2-0 victory against Manchester City in the last round.
"It is a big challenge and a big opportunity for us as well, that is how we have to look at it," he added. "If we qualify, we are in the quarterfinal. We have the luck with the draw to play at the Emirates, so let's take this opportunity.
"Any team that plays at the top of the Championship is a danger for anyone. They deserved their win at City. They are well organised, play good football. They play at a good pace and they are very creative. You look at their recent record in the Championship and it is very impressive. We have to try and stop that."