£100k p/w Arsenal Star Deserves to Be Given More Respect After Dominant Display vs Spurs
Arsenal extended their impressive start to the 2024/25 Premier League season with a tight win over their fierce rivals, Tottenham Hotspur. Gabriel Magalhaes made a decisive impact by rising above the Spurs defense to secure the three points for a depleted Arsenal team in the second half.
Although Gabriel Magalhaes is often overlooked in discussions about the Premier League’s top centre-backs, his contributions are significant.
Much of the attention tends to focus on his defensive partner, William Saliba, who is widely regarded as one of the best defenders globally. Despite Saliba’s prominence, Gabriel’s own skills and contributions should not be underestimated.
Since joining Arsenal in September 2020, Gabriel has shown considerable development and established himself as one of the premier defenders in the league.
While he may not possess the same speed as Saliba, Gabriel’s aggressive style of play is nearly unmatched in English football, demonstrating his readiness to handle the physical demands of the division.
Gabriel’s Game vs Spurs in Numbers
The £100,000-per-week star earned the Man of the Match title from Sky Sports’ Gary Neville, and Gabriel’s impact was evident in the post-match statistics.
He registered two tackles and one interception, playing a crucial role as the Gunners faced tough moments at their main rivals’ home ground.
Gabriel and Saliba have established a remarkably dependable defensive pair, with their strong partnership being a key factor in the club’s return to prominence in English football. Gabriel matched Spurs’ Micky van de Ven with seven clearances, the highest in the match.
Many supporters were worried about the absence of Declan Rice in front of the defensive line as they approached the crucial fixture.
However, these concerns were alleviated by a remarkable defensive performance from the Brazilian player, who blocked two shots.
One aspect of his game that might still need some refinement is his ball-handling. Gabriel made just 26 passes as his team struggled to control the ball and play the fluid style of football that fans are used to. Additionally, he completed only 76.9% of his attempted passes.
| Gabriel Statistics vs Tottenham | |
|---|---|
| Statistic | Number |
| Total Tackles | 2 |
| Interceptions | 1 |
| Clearances | 7 |
| Blocked Shots | 2 |
| Passes | 26 |
| Pass Accuracy | 76.9% |
Gabriel Deserves Respect
Saliba often receives the most praise from fans and pundits among the dynamic defensive duo. Yet, Gabriel’s presence has been crucial to the Frenchman’s impressive defensive record. The pair have been instrumental in Arsenal’s resurgence under Mikel Arteta.
After nearly two decades of not contending seriously for the English top flight, the north London club has emerged as a strong contender in the past two seasons. This resurgence began when Gabriel and Saliba first formed their formidable partnership.
Arteta’s team aims to challenge for the title again this season, seeking to prevent Manchester City from achieving the remarkable feat of winning the Premier League in five consecutive campaigns.
The London-based club face two critical fixtures in the coming weeks. They will travel to Serie A side Atalanta in midweek, followed by a crucial match against title rivals Manchester City next Sunday. The return of Champions League football will add to the congested football calendar in the months ahead.
Gabriel will be crucial for the Gunners in most of their games, particularly with Riccardo Calafiori sidelined due to an unusual injury sustained on international duty.
The left-footed Italian was brought in to compete with Gabriel in the center-back position and to add depth at left-back.
Initially, there were concerns that Gabriel might lose his place in Arteta’s starting XI at the start of the 2023/24 season. However, he fought back into the team and played a key role in Arsenal’s strongest title challenge in 20 years.
In other Arsenal news, Mikel Arteta Left Absolutely Furious With One Arsenal Player Despite North London Derby Win
