Owen Hargreaves was left shocked by Brazilian international Gabriel Magalhaes’s ‘too risky’ pass during Arsenal’s 5-0 win over Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
When Arsenal were winning 1-0 in the first half when Forest tried to get into the game and put pressure on the home team’s backline.
At one point, Gabriel had the ball close to Aaron Ramsdale’s left-hand post, rather than clear his lines or play the ball out of the penalty area.
He proceeded to play a pass straight to ex-Manchester United man Jesse Lingard in the middle of the box, who watched his effort magnificently blocked by William Saliba.
That was a brain fade by the 24-year-old, who has had these moments this season.
Former England International Hargreaves pointed out that the pass Gabriel tried to Lingard just ‘didn’t exist’ and how he would teach his own son not to make such a mistake, as he told Premier League Productions (30/10/22 at 2:55 pm).
“This ball doesn’t exist, by the way, the ball he tries to play,” said Hargreaves. “You can’t pass the ball. Saliba does amazing. You can’t pass it in there.
“I said it to my son the other day. Don’t pass it in your box. It’s just too risky. Saliba does amazing to block it.”
SALIBA MORE IMPORTANT THAN GABRIEL
For the past few seasons, Gabriel has perhaps been Arsenal’s most important defender and the one fans don’t want to be seen getting injured.
But, following the arrival or even return of William Saliba this summer, he is now the most important player at the back.
Even though it took him years to make his Arsenal debut, it has done him the world of good and he isn’t just outperforming Gabriel, but well and truly bossing attackers this season.
