Cesc Fabregas has named the Arsenal player he believes has improved considerably on the ball after the Gunners picked up another huge win in their push to win the Premier League title this season.
Mikel Arteta’s men have put the pressure back on Manchester City by returning to the top of the Premier League table with a 1-0 victory at Old Trafford.
Once again, it was yet another clean sheet for David Raya and the Arsenal defence. Raya had already secured the Golden Glove before the win over Manchester United, but Arsenal have now conceded just 28 goals in 37 games.
William Saliba was lauded for his performance against Erik ten Hag’s side, but the man alongside him produced another superb display.
Cesc Fabregas lauds improvement from Gabriel Magalhaes
Gabriel Magalhaes has arguably got better and better as the campaign has gone on. There was a feeling at Arsenal that Gabriel did not get the full credit he deserved from many, but he has more than played his part in their supreme defensive run.
Not only is he an exceptional defender, but Cesc Fabregas has told Planet Premier League that the Brazilian has got so much better in possession too as he reflected on the benefit of having a left-footer on that side of the backline.
“There is a difference playing left centre-back or not, because nowadays everyone studies you very well, and when you play a right centre-back, unless he is really good and he can get out of situations when he’s pressed, because what happens when you’re a centre-back and you are left in this case, you can make switches onto the other side, you can play interior balls, you can play into your full-back, you have a lot of situations. It opens up the game so much more for you,” he said.
“Instead, if you play with a right centre-back, potentially they could study you, they could press you in a certain way, they are taking you outside, you could feel under pressure so much easier, so in this case, I agree with Nedum [Onuoha] totally, playing a left centre-back instead of Gabriel, who’s improved with the ball a lot; physically we knew that he was a good defender, very solid, but with the ball he’s improved a lot and it helps a lot in the build-up for Arsenal.”
What few seem to mention about Arsenal deal for defender
Rio Ferdinand noted that Leandro Trossard may be one of Arsenal’s best signings following his winner at Old Trafford, but Gabriel surely has to be in the conversation.
Arsenal spent just over £23 million to sign the defender from Lille. He has improved over the last few years, but he has been a stalwart of the side almost from the moment that he arrived.
It seems that Gabriel helped elevate Ben White during their time playing alongside each other, and it is a similar story with Saliba, who has completely lived up to the fans’ expectations since his debut.
The scary thing is that there is still scope for Saliba and Gabriel’s partnership to get even stronger.