Arsenal have had an impressive Premier League campaign, having gone toe to toe with Manchester City at the top of the table.
Mikel Arteta’s side are still within a shot of the Premier League title with just weeks remaining, but they will need Man City to drop points to give them a chance.
Regardless of how the season ends, Arsenal have impressed in 2024, with just one league defeat, and some of their players are thriving at the very top level.
Summer signing Declan Rice has been exceptional from the very minute he arrived, and he has also labelled captain Martin Odegaard as one of the best players he has seen.
Arsenal’s outstanding defence has been a key part of their title challenge, and centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes is finally receiving the credit he deserves for what has been a sensational campaign.
Gabriel Magalhaes’ importance to Arsenal highlighted
Speaking on It’s All Kicking Off, pundit and former striker Chris Sutton claimed that Gabriel has been the fourth-best player in the Premier League this season, and highlighted his importance in the Arsenal back line.
“At four, I’m gonna say Gabriel, Arsenal centre-half,” he stated when listing the best players in the league this season.
“Defenders are important, Arsenal you know their centre-half pairing are the bedrock of that Arsenal backline, which so important for them.”
Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba have been paramount to Arsenal’s title challenge
Gabriel, and centre-back partner William Saliba have arguably been the two best players in the league in their position this season, alongside Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk.
Arsenal’s title challenge collapsed last season after Saliba picked up a long-term injury, but the pair have maintained their fitness and consistency this year, and Arsenal’s form has been exceptional on the back of their performances.
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The Gunners now have the best defence in the Premier League, and are also the best team at attacking set-pieces, and Gabriel has been important in both boxes. Arsenal rarely allow headed shots from set pieces in their own six yard box, and the Brazilian has also scored more than anyone else from set-pieces since his arrival.
If Arsenal do go on to win the League, it will be in no small part down to the brilliant performances of Gabriel in the back four.