Is there any Arsenal fan who now doubts Gabriel Magalhaes? Do you recall the descriptions of the Brazilian defender as “braindead,” a liability, and a loose end in need of tying? Those were the moments when he acted hastily and struggled to keep his composure.
Few gave him a chance during those days; many used him as a scapegoat. Interestingly, last summer’s reports suggested that the Gunners were prepared to let him go, and subsequently rumored to go for Marc Guehi as his replacement. Following his benching for the first three games of last season, some speculated that Gabriel’s time was running out.
However, since 2023-24 PL Match Day 4, the Arsenal centre back has risen to the occasion, won hearts, and, despite William Saliba’s brilliance, has emerged as the Arsenal defensive leader. Gabriel has helped Arteta’s project click by defending and scoring headers at will from well-hit corners. He now receives nothing but praise, and he deserves every bit of it.
You can’t talk about Arsenal scoring 16 goals from corners last season without mentioning Gabriel, who floats in the air to tap them in.
Last week, his headed goal helped Arsenal defeat Spurs 1-0, painting North London red. On Sunday, he rose to the occasion, scoring Arsenal’s second goal in a 2-2 tie with City. Gabriel has scored 16 Premier League goals since joining Arsenal, five more than any other defender; he is certainly one of a kind.
It’s no surprise that Arsenal wants him to sign a new contract, even if his current one doesn’t expire until 2027. In my mind he is now as good, if not better, than his partner William Saliba…
What do you think?
Sam P
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He’s not as consistent as Saliba defensively, but his goal productivity is essential since we’ve got no Giroud 2.0
Excellent left-footed CBs like him are rare, so Arsenal had better offer him a new contract next year
If a huge Spanish club are willing to pay £90m for him, we could sell him since we’ve got Calafiori
I suspected Calafiori had been recruited to replace Gabriel, not sure that I am wrong, but I am sure Big Gabby has become a reliable powerhouse of a player.
Gabriel used to have mistakes in him but he has improved in that regard.I think people rate Saliba more because he is more well rounded. There are things I see Saliba do that no CBs do. That said,they are two different players who complement each other well.
We tried playing without him last season for a bit and it didn’t go very well – he has a tough and passionate mentality that’s really important for this team, and I think the real improvement we’ve seen is that he’s able to control that passion better over the past couple of years. That said, no one seems to enjoy scoring a goal or saving a goal as much as he does.