“He’s Now On Another Level” — Mikel Arteta Praises Arsenal Defender
Mikel Arteta praises his star defender
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has praised Brazilian defender Gabriel Magalhães for recent performances in key matches, including against Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City.
Gabriel’s contributions in both defense and attack have helped cement his status as one of the Premier League’s best center-backs and the leader of the Gunners’ defense.
Since joining Arsenal from Lille for £27m in the summer of 2020, Gabriel has quickly impressed, showing his potential by scoring on his debut. However, his early seasons were not without difficulties.
The Brazilian has been criticized for a number of mistakes in his first two years at the club and questions have been raised about his consistency. Despite this, Gabriel’s growth as a player has been steady and impressive. With each season he has improved and is now one of the best defenders in world football.
Known for his ability to develop young talent, Arteta played a key role in Gabriel’s development. But the Arsenal manager remained humble and refused to take credit for the defender’s progress. Instead, Arteta stressed that the 26-year-old’s work ethic and decisions off the pitch were key factors in his success.
Now forming a formidable partnership with William Saliba at the heart of Arsenal’s defense, Gabriel has not only bolstered the Gunners’ defence but also contributed to crucial goals in key games. His defensive prowess and offensive contributions took his game to a new level.
Ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League game against Paris Saint-Germain, Arteta expressed his admiration for Gabriel’s development as a player and person.
“When he first arrived, the language barrier was a challenge, and he didn’t have the support system he has today,” Arteta explained.
“But he’s made a lot of right decisions and proved his commitment to the team and the club. His performances are undeniable and have taken him to a different level, especially in the way we defend.”
