Ian Wright says ‘fans are worried’ that Gabriel Magalhaes isn’t starting for Arsenal after their 2-2 draw against ten-man Fulham at the Emirates on Saturday.
For the third Premier League game in a row, Mikel Arteta opted to keep Gabriel Magalhaes on the bench, with his only start coming against Manchester City in the Community Shield.
Arsenal ended up conceding a late equaliser to Fulham and Wright suggested that, if Gabriel had been on the pitch, then he would have dealt with it because if is the ‘organiser’, as he told Premier League Productions (26/08/23 at 8:20 pm).
Once again, the Gunners conceded very early in a game at the Emirates and failed to keep a clean sheet, even during their opening-day win against Nottingham Forest.
One of the biggest signs of a team wanting to win the Premier League title is their defence, Manchester City are the prime example because they haven’t conceded yet this season.
Either way, Wright shared his thoughts on Arsenal’s sloppy nature at the start of games and the treatment of Gabriel, who was a key member of the team last season.
“A little bit worried (in Arsenal conceding early goals),” said Wright. “There is a bit of sloppy play. I think they need to tighten up at the start of games.
“There were times when I was watching the game and I felt nervous for us. We don’t seem to be as confident as I thought we could have been in managing the game once we got back into it when we were 2-1 up.
“I think that’s a little bit of a worry because there are things that happen. I know the fans are a little bit worried about Gabriel not playing, he gives us solidity in there, and then when they score that goal at the death there, from the corner, it’s something our big defender would be there. There is no Gabriel, as I said, to be that organiser.”
Will Gabriel leave Arsenal?
The transfer rumour mill has put Gabriel’s name up in lights, with suggestions that the 25-year-old could head for the exit door this summer.
Gabriel has been a constant in that backline for Arsenal, but now it seems as though William Saliba and Ben White are ahead of him in the pecking order.
It’s understandable if Saliba is ahead of the Brazil star, but others would argue against the likes of White, Jakub Kiwior and Rob Holding being above him, or even the ones behind Saliba if he leaves.
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