Arsenal still have an outside chance of winning the Premier League, but even if they do not, they can still be happy with their performances this season.
Mikel Arteta’s side will need Manchester City to drop points against West Ham even if they beat Everton at the Emirates, and the title may be just out of reach this year.
However, they will receive a good reception from the Arsenal fans, who can recognise the raised levels of their displays this season.
Arsenal have the best defensive record in the Premier League, and whilst goalkeeper David Raya won the Golden Glove, a lot of the credit should go to centre-backs William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes.
Arsenal Invincible Lauren praises William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes’ relationship
Speaking to The Athletic, Lauren, the right-back of the famous Arsenal Invincibles side, praised Saliba and Gabriel, highlighting how the chemistry between the pair has helped both defenders excel.
“The defensive mentality has been a great foundation. When I was with the lads last summer I was talking to Gabriel and Saliba and you could feel the connection between them, the understanding you need at the back,” he stated.
“Sometimes that kind of friendship, that knowledge you have from your partner without even looking at him, is the base of a great central-defensive partnership. It is essential those two guys have the right combination. Of course, you have to have the quality they have — but adding that connection makes it even stronger.
“I have not seen that quality of connection and understanding for a long time. They have been brilliant.”
William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes are the perfect pairing for Arsenal
In Saliba and Gabriel, Arteta is blessed with a perfect centre-back partnership. The two defenders complement each other well, withSaliba’s calm demeanour balanced out by Gabriel’s aggressive front-foot defending.
Both are comfortable on the ball and dominant in the air, and this has shown through Arsenal’s set-pieces success in both attack and defence.
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The pair have been the “bedrock” of Arteta’s Arsenal, and if both can maintain their level and win trophies, they can continue to develop into one of the greatest partnerships in Premier League history.
Gabriel has been particularly impressive at the back, but may consider himself unlucky that he was not nominated for the Player Of The Year award, but Arsenal and their fans are very aware of how important the Brazilian is at the back.