“I have played with the likes of Ramos, Pepe and others but this my particular Arsenal defender is better than them combined… He’s young but I’m scared of him”: Vinicious says Arsenal has a particular defender who’s better than Sergio Ramos and Pepe Combined
In a hard-fought North London Derby, Arsenal had to abandon their typical fluid, attacking style in favour of a more resilient approach against Tottenham.
Despite being without several key players, Mikel Arteta’s side travelled to their rival’s home determined to secure three points. It wasn’t a display filled with flair, but it was one marked by grit, as Arsenal held firm to deny Spurs any real opportunity at goal.
The standout performer in Arsenal’s determined display was none other than Gabriel Magalhaes. The Brazilian defender was pivotal at both ends of the pitch, contributing a match-winning performance. He was a rock in defence, keeping Tottenham’s attack at bay, and his towering header proved to be the game’s only goal, sealing a 1-0 victory for the Gunners.
Gabriel’s heroic efforts earned him widespread praise, with players and pundits alike recognising his contribution. Arsenal fans affectionately refer to him as “Big Gabi,” and his performance on derby day only added to his growing reputation.
Gabriel was rightfully awarded the Player of the Match accolade for his contributions on the pitch. In his BBC Sport Team of the Week article, former Premier League striker Troy Deeney heaped praise on the defender. “What a monster,” Deeney said. “Great header for the goal. It was just a monstrous display from Arsenal defensively. The two centre-halves stepped up, but Gabriel gets it because of that wonderful goal.”
Gabriel took to Instagram after the game, sharing his joy with a post captioned: “What a Feeling!! Thank you GOD!!!” His post garnered reactions from stars across the footballing world. Brazil teammate Vinicius Jr. replied with fire emojis, while Arsenal legend Ian Wright added love heart emojis. William Saliba, Gabriel’s partner in defence, simply commented, “MVP,” underscoring the winning mentality ingrained within the club.
While the likes of Saliba and other defenders often draw praise, Gabriel’s contributions sometimes go unnoticed outside of Arsenal. This has led to speculation about whether the Brazilian is underrated, especially given his pivotal role in the team’s improvement over the years.
When asked about this after the match, Mikel Arteta was full of admiration for the defender. “The way he has evolved first as a person and then in his role in the club and the team has been phenomenal,” Arteta said.
“It has been great to watch. Gabriel is one of the best examples of that. He loves what he does, he applies himself extremely well, and he wants it. When that happens, good things happen to these kinds of people.”
