Arsenal fans seem harmonious in their thoughts regarding Gabriel Magalhaes’ display against Manchester City today.
Mikel Arteta watched his Arsenal team deliver a colossal performance at the back, demonstrating how far they’ve come as a unit.
There was zero sign of the side that collapsed and lost 4-1 at the Etihad last season, and if anything Arsenal looked like stealing the game.
Unfortunately a win wasn’t attainable on this occasion, even if Leandro Trossard looked as if he would slip Gabriel Martinelli in for the winner in the dying moments.
But Arsenal will have to settle for a draw, and in truth they’ll probably be quite content with all said and done.
Of course, given Arteta’s side were able to secure a clean sheet at the most difficult venue to do so in the league, a lot of credit was given to the back like.
Both William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes were dominant, barely allowing Erling Haaland a sniff.
However, when Saliba was handed the player of the match award at full-time, many Arsenal fans thought it was the wrong decision.
Arsenal fans thought Gabriel Magalhaes deserved the player of the match award against Man City
Replying to a post on X sharing Sky Sports’ decision to hand Saliba the award, Arsenal fans were adamant that Gabriel deserved the accolade instead.
One fan replied saying: “So hyped up – Gabriel been the standout today.”
Another fan simply wrote: “Gabriel edges it for me, both brilliant, though.”
And then one reply was very popular saying: “Certainly not better than Gabriel.”
Of course, it was a brilliant night for both Saliba and Gabriel, but it did feel as if the Brazilian edged it on this occasion.
Saliba was flawless as usual, even if he was slightly nervous on the ball at times in the first half, but Gabriel almost single-handedly took Erling Haaland out of the game.
We’re splitting hairs, yes, but a lot of Arsenal fans did seem pretty passionate in their praise for Gabriel after the game, thinking he was slightly overlooked for Saliba on this occassion, even if they were pleased with both.
And that’s perhaps best summarised by another fan comment saying: “Magalhaes should be MOTM but I can’t complain.”
Either way, it was a strong result and performance by Arteta’s men, who will hope to build on that progress against Luton Town at the Emirates next.
And with all that being said, Gary Neville did hail one Arsenal player for looking particularly dangerous today.