Arsenal might have improved on last season’s Premier League title challenge, but they still fell short.
It was a heartbreaking end for Mikel Arteta and his players because, even though they took the fight to the final day, Manchester City still claimed a historic fourth Premier League title win in a row.
One of the main reasons why Arsenal took their game to another level was the addition and signing of their club-record transfer, Declan Rice.
The 25-year-old was everything the Gunners needed and he produced it to the highest level, including possibly being one of the best players in the league.
Then there is someone like William Saliba. The Frenchman was injured towards the back end of the previous campaign and Arsenal collapsed.
But this time around, with the ice-cool centre-half playing every minute, no one can now blame the London club for bottling the Premier League title because it just didn’t happen.
Those players rightfully got the plaudits for their performances because they were outstanding.
But Nedum Onuoha was keen to drop in the name of Gabriel Magalhaes and his contribution to the best defence in England this season.
The former Manchester City man claimed that ‘there was talk of him going away’ at the start of the campaign, but he has been ‘as important’ as Rice and Saliba this term, as he told Premier League Productions (20/05/24 at 2:55 pm)
It’s not just the defensive side. Arsenal were the best in the Premier League at set-pieces, with Gabriel contributing to four goals, so he deserves his flowers.
Gabriel Magalhaes’ performances for Arsenal
“I think Gabriel has been great considering he didn’t start the season and there was potentially talk of him going away,” said Onuoha
“But himself and Saliba. As much as Rice has been important to them, I think those two have been huge as well. Not least what they have been contributing with the set-pieces side of things as well. The best defence, statically, in the league this year.”
Has Gabriel Magalhaes outperformed William Saliba?
Many, both on the inside and the outside, consider Saliba to be the better defender and player for the Gunners.
However, it could be argued that Gabriel outperformed Saliba this term.
READ MORE: Arsenal set to confirm £27 million agreement for ‘outstanding’ player after brilliant season
The Brazil star, who will be hoping to take his domestic form to Copa America this summer, has produced many outstanding performances and did many top jobs against strikers.
For two seasons in a row, he has been brilliant, but like Liverpool found out many years ago, Arsenal and Gabriel need to go again and hope it’s third time lucky.
The post ’Talk of him going': Pundit says Arsenal star has been as good as Declan Rice & William Saliba appeared first on HITC.
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