Arsenal defender Gabriel Paulista has responded to manager Arsene Wenger by insisting that he 'already understands' his teammates.

Prior to the Gunners' 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend, manager Arsene Wenger said that he wants the Brazilian to have a better understanding of English.

However, the defender has insisted that he communicates well with his teammates on the pitch.

"I already understand my teammates on the pitch. I still miss some things but I am improving," Gabriel told IBTimes UK. "I'm really well. I'm already 100% recovered from my last injury and now I just have to keep working to improve further.

"I still have a long way [to feel like a starter]. I'm working very hard [to get it] but the competition is high because my teammates are at the top level. I am training very hard and trying to take every opportunity in the games and I think I'm doing things right."

Gabriel started at the weekend due to Laurent Koscielny's injury.