Man City vs Arsenal: Why Gabriel and not Saliba is Arsenal's most important centre-back
Gabriel started last season as a squad player for Arsenal. This time around, he’s a key player.
A lot really can change in the space of 12 months.
Mikel Arteta brought in Jurrien Timber from Ajax during the 2023 summer transfer window and the Dutchman started the first game of the season against Nottingham Forest. With Gabriel watching on from the bench, Timber suffered an ACL injury which ruled him out for the best part of the season.
Takehiro Tomiyasu came into the team for the second game of the season as Arsenal made it two wins from two. Gabriel, again, got some minutes off of the bench. However, the Brazil international didn’t appear in the 2-2 draw with Fulham on matchday three with Arteta trying Jakub Kiwior at left-back and Ben White at centre-back alongside William Saliba.
This stint out of the team, having started all 38 Premier League games during the 2022/23 campaign, was enough to have Gabriel questioning his long-term future at the Emirates. He revealed as much back in February.
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"It was tough, obviously at the start. I wanted to play and it was very difficult for me but I understood what the coach had to do," he told PA Media.
"It is difficult for any player to not be in the team but now I'm back in and I want to keep on working hard to prove my worth. [Arteta] spoke to me and obviously explained the reasons behind the decision.
"Why I should stay - but the most important thing was to remain focused and concentrate - he knew how important I was to the team, so I'm happy to be back and to be able to help the team in every game. I'm happy to be back in the team and hopefully, I can help them moving forward."
Since the start of the 2022/23 season, no centre-back has helped his side to more Premier League clean sheets than Gabriel Magalhães (32). 🧺 pic.twitter.com/urnzET9f2N
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) September 20, 2024
The 26-year-old is now considered a key cog in the Arsenal defence. A defence that has kept four clean sheets in their opening five matches across all competitions this season. A defence that has conceded just one goal this term. A lot of the praise goes the way of Saliba. The French centre-back oozes class in possession and his ability to read the game is frightening for someone of his age. He times tackles so well, time and time again.
With the focus being on Saliba, Gabriel’s contribution to this team goes under the radar. If anything, he’s arguably more important to this Arsenal team than Saliba. Because while the one-time Marseille loanee excels in possession and across ground duels, it is the ex-Lille man who takes on the role as the aerial bully.
And in the Premier League, you need someone who can handle themselves in those physical battles. That isn’t to lessen what Saliba does for Arsenal, but without Gabriel, the narrative surrounding the 23-cap France international might be completely different.
The game against Atalanta is a good example of this.
Saliba didn’t compete for a single aerial duel in the 0-0 draw with the Serie A side whereas Gabriel played a significant role in repelling the Italians. He was involved in six aerial duels and won five of those.
The 6ft 3in defender put his aerial prowess to good use in the North London derby last weekend as he powered in the winning goal. He’s handy in both penalty areas.
His performances have seen him earn a WhoScored average rating of 7.23. For context, Saliba has a WhoScored average rating of 7.18 this season.
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He could well be pivotal in the upcoming match against Manchester City at the Etihad. Last season, Gabriel managed to come out on top with the two-time Golden Boot winner, Erling Haaland. This season, City have been overly reliant on their No.9. He’s scored nine of their 11 league goals.
If Gabriel can limit Haaland, Arsenal can limit City as an attacking threat. If they’re able to do that, they’re going to have a chance of picking up all three points and leapfrogging the reigning champions.
