Journalist James Benge has now named one Arsenal player who has improved hugely under the management of Mikel Arteta. 

Many Arsenal players have enjoyed impressive campaigns so far. 

The Gunners are currently in the heat of a Premier League title race and have been in unstoppable form of late. Mikel Arteta’s side are unbeaten in the league since the turn of the year. 

A huge factor in the North London club’s success so far this season has been due to the sturdiness of their defence. The Arsenal rearguard has been in a class of its own. No side in the top flight of English football has conceded fewer goals. 

Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba have been crucial to this solidity. The defensive duo have a great understanding of one another’s games and possess complementary qualities and attributes. Gabriel and Saliba have been described as the best centre-back partnership in the Premier League.

However, Saliba himself has stated that Gabriel is the better player, which may come as a surprise to some as the Frenchman has often hogged the headlines and is a more eye-catching player due to his fluency and coolness on the ball. 

How far has Gabriel Magalhaes come this season?

Gabriel is hugely important to this Arsenal team, though. He is a battler. A bully of a defender who can be relied upon to dominate his duels. He has also improved his on the ball play and consistency levels. Due to the progress in his game, Gabriel has been described as the most “underrated” player in the Arsenal squad. 

James Benge has been blown away by Gabriel this season. Speaking to Charles Watts on his Inside Arsenal YouTube channel, the reporter said, “this guy is the Arsenal story, in the last few years, in microcosm. A really promising footballer, a triumph of recruitment for Mikel Arteta and Edu, one of their first great swings…sending it flying for six. Even last season, seeing him come on leaps and bounds, but maybe the composure wasn’t there for him to be the centre-back of a title winner or a Champions League winner, and it’s there now. It just is.”

How important is Gabriel Magalhaes to Arsenal

Arteta and sporting director Edu paid £27 million to sign Gabriel from French club Lille in the summer of 2022. The 26-year-old arrived in North London with plenty of potential, but is now an elite defender in his own right. 

He is now a vital pillar in Arteta’s team, and it is vital that the 6-cap Brazil international is able to remain fit and full of confidence for the rest of the season.

Saliba’s injury had a devastating effect on the club’s Premier League title push last season. The loss of Gabriel for the run-in this time around would likely have similarly catastrophic impact.