Arsenal boasts of having one of the best centre-back pairings in Europe, if not the best, the one formed by William Saliba…and Gabriel dos Santos Magalhaes (Sao Paulo, 1997). The Frenchman has often received praise, but the Brazilian, little by little, has been growing in importance until he has become the ‘gunner archangel’.
The performance graph of Gabriel Magalhaes.Driblab
The former Avaí, Troyes and Dinamo Zagreb player – he played, above all, in the reserve team – arrived in 2020 in exchange for 26 million euros. He was, in fact, the first big signing of the ‘Arteta era’. However, he did not get off to a good start. Several errors at the start that ended in a goal cost him numerous criticisms. “When he arrived he didn’t know the language, he wasn’t as physically developed and he didn’t have the environment or family he has today,” suggests the Arsenal coach.
When he arrived he did not know the language and he did not have the environment or family that he has today.
Mikel Arteta
What’s more, he started last season as a substitute due to growing rumors that placed him in Saudi Arabia. However, he managed to turn the tables. “He has shown everyone how committed he is and has taken his football to another level,” insists Arteta.
Going for Koscielny’s goal record
Gabriel Magalhaes has become a mainstay in defense – he is the sixth player in the Premier League who blocks the most shots (24) – and in attack. In strategy plays it is a ‘cannon’. Never better said.
Since his arrival in the Premier in 2020, he is the center back who has scored the most goals (17) in the five major leagues. He ‘only’ needed 145 games. He is dangerously close to the 22 that Laurent Koscielny achieved in 255 games, the record for a Gunner centre-back in the Premier.
Center backs with the most goals in the major leagues (Aug.-2020)
Gabriel Magalhaes –> 17 Bremer –> 15Willi Orbán –> 14Philipp Lienhart –> 12
Kurt Zouma –> 11
This season he already has four goals in 19 games. In fact, he has scored two games in a row: 1-5 in the Champions League over Sporting CP and 2-5 over West Ham in the Premier League. In the latter, he also forced a penalty as a result of a punch from Fabianski that forced him to leave as a substitute at half-time. He also scored against City (2-2) and in the derby against Tottenham (0-1).
“I would choose Gabriel over Saliba”
A potential that has not gone unnoticed. “Gabriel is a warrior. He is a player you would always want to have by your side. As if that were not enough, he usually contributes goals,” says Gary Lineker. “I would choose Gabriel over Saliba because of his power from set pieces,” says Darren Bent.
Gabriel is a warrior. He is a player that you would always want to have by your side.
Gary Lineker
Gabriel himself gives the keys to his improvement: “Arteta helped me a lot. He spoke to me every day and held my ear, but I knew it was for my own good. In everything I have improved to reach my best version, he has “lots to see.”
Meanwhile, David Raya enjoys Magalhaes… and Saliba: “They are very strong and have an incredible relationship with each other. They both know where the other is at all times. They are very intelligent and young.”
