‘Since Spurs’: Pundit says ‘solid’ £23m Arsenal unit has been key to form

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BBC Sport pundit Garth Crooks has pinpointed Gabriel Magalhaes as one of the key reasons behind Arsenal’s success in the Premier League following a 3-0 win against Southampton.

Writing in his Team of the Week column, the former Tottenham star included the Brazilian international in his defence. Crooks was impressed by how Gabriel performed against the Saints both at the back and in the attack.

The centre-back, who Edu signed in 2020 for a reported fee of £23m, kept a clean sheet and was on the scoresheet in one of Arsenal’s most convincing displays of the season, with the result putting Mikel Arteta’s side up to sixth in the Premier League table.

With West Ham coming up next for the north London side, Arsenal could well creep into the top-four with a win over the Irons. And the defensive form of Gabriel will be key to any result. The 23-year-old is now a focal point for a new-look backline for the Gunners.

Aaron Ramsdale has asserted himself as the club’s new number one keeper, whilst Ben White has impressed at times for the north London side. Yet for Crooks, it was Gabriel who shone the brightest for Arsenal against Southampton.

The pundit wrote: “Ever since they beat Spurs in the north London derby, they seem to be grinding out games without playing particularly well. One of the reasons they have continued to improve under Mikel Arteta is the performances of Gabriel. Whenever the Brazilian is available, Arsenal look solid at the back and also a threat in attack.”

Gabriel signing now looking shrewd after Southampton display

The former Lille defender has been a revelation at Arsenal, with Gabriel easily of the best centre-backs at the club. And his performance against Southampton once again showed his qualities.

Indeed, the 23-year-old dominated at the back whilst also being a presence on set-pieces in the attack. And with the Gunners winning a lot of goals from these positions, Gabriel is quickly making himself an indispensable member of Arteta’s squad.