Gabriel Paulista joins Valencia on loan

Valencia have secured the services of Arsenal defender Gabriel Paulista on loan until the end of the season.

The 27-year-old centre-back has fallen out of favour at the Emirates Stadium and has been looking for a move away for some time.

Paulista joined Arsenal from Villarreal in 2015 but has struggled to establish himself as a regular in the first team.

The Brazilian has made just 64 appearances for the Gunners in all competitions and has been behind the likes of Shkodran Mustafi, Laurent Koscielny and Nacho Monreal in the pecking order.

Paulista's departure will free up some space in Arsenal's squad and could pave the way for the arrival of a new centre-back in the January transfer window.

The Gunners have been linked with a move for Borussia Dortmund's Sokratis Papastathopoulos, who is available for around £20 million.

Valencia are currently 12th in La Liga and will be hoping that Paulista can help them improve their defensive record.

The Spanish club have conceded 28 goals in 21 league games this season, which is the joint-worst record in the top half of the table.