Stewart Robson told ESPN that Gabriel Magalhaes and Ben White let Mikel Arteta down as Crystal Palace held Arsenal to a draw on Monday and doubts either will be ‘top-class’.
The Gunners’ 1985 Player of the Year felt the north Londoners’ centre-backs failed to put Crystal Palace under enough pressure. Instead, they repeatedly backed off as the Eagles pushed forward, which allowed Christian Benteke and Odsonne Edouard to score.
Gabriel stood off Benteke after the Belgian intercepted Thomas Partey’s mistake and could not prevent the striker shifting the ball onto his favoured right foot to shoot. Edouard also edged his way into the box before unleashing a rocket as White refused to make a tackle.
Robson criticises White and Gabriel for roles in Arsenal draw
Robson criticises White and Gabriel’s reluctance to commit to challenges, as their actions showed Arsenal are still susceptible defensively. Despite Arteta spending £50m and £23m to sign the pair respectively during the last two summer transfer windows.
“They were too easy to play against,” Robson said. “When Crystal Palace started passing the ball, to play into midfield, they could get the ball form back to front with ease. Benteke was able to hold it up, midfield players were able to get space in behind Arsenal’s midfield.
“There was a lot of energy and a lot of running around from Arsenal, but there was a lack of understanding about how you close people down. They were going on the wrong angles, so they were played around too easily.
“Then when they dropped off, the two centre-halves when they had to close the ball down, did not close the ball down. So, they’ve still got problems defensively. They brought in Gabriel, they brought in Ben White, two okay players. But they’re not going to be top-class players at the moment and they’re not good enough defenders.”
Is Robson right to question Gunners defending vs Palace?
Alexandre Lacazette saved Arsenal’s blushes against Crystal Palace by scoring a stoppage-time equaliser from the bench. But White and Gabriel gave Robson reason to question their performances, having been somewhat at fault for Edouard and Benteke’s goals.
Both Eagles strikes came after mistakes from Gunners’ midfielders in Partey and Albert Sambi Lokonga. But Gabriel could have done more to prevent Benteke bearing down on Aaron Ramsdale. While White could have done more to send Edouard out wide.
Gabriel and Whites’ inability – or reluctance – to close Benteke and Edouard down cost Arsenal on Monday. Other sides will now see their hesitance as a weakness they can exploit in future matches if Arteta does not encourage an instant response against Aston Villa.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
