Jamie Carragher believes that Gabriel Magalhaes makes teams really nervous when he’s on the pitch following his goal against Aston Villa.
The Brazilian marked his return to the team with a trademark headed goal from Bukayo Saka’s corner to give the Gunners the lead.
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Arsenal produced a statement win by defeating Aston Villa 4-1, with Leandro Trossard, Martin Zubimendi and Gabriel Jesus also scoring.
But it was the Gunners’ Brazilian defender who opened the scoring, and his presence alone proved enough to set Arsenal on their way to victory.
Jamie Carragher thinks Gabriel Magalhaes is the Premier League’s most influential player
Jamie Carragher thinks Gabriel Magalhaes is the Premier League’s most influential player, given how dangerous he is in both boxes.
The 28-year-old now has six goals and assists this season for the Gunners, with his aura inside opponents’ penalty areas proving to be rather overwhelming.
Gabriel also scored away at Newcastle in what could prove to be one of the biggest moments of the season for Mikel Arteta’s team.
Speaking about the defender’s influence, Carragher told Sky Sports: “Gabriel being back is huge. Alan Smith gave him Man of the Match.
Sum up Gabriel’s performance in three words!
“I said a couple of months back that I felt he was the most influential player in the Premier League, Arsenal’s defensive record and what he likes from set pieces, we’ve seen it again tonight.
“How often does Gabriel create mistakes from other people? People just feel nervous around him. You think of Newcastle earlier in the season, Nick Pope came and didn’t go there, he gets the touch on it.
“I just think he makes people nervous when he’s in that penalty. He has an effect on people. But Gabriel, in both boxes, he’s the most influential player in the Premier League.”
Ashley Young on Gabriel Magalhaes’ leadership at Arsenal
Meanwhile, Ashley Young thinks that Gabriel’s leadership at Arsenal is something the team have really missed whilst he has been sidelined.
Ollie Watkins was set to be a threat to Arsenal, but the Brazilian shut him down with ease during the win.
“Gabriel at the back, we talk about leaders and how they go about it. They’ve missed him massively since he’s been out, and tonight he was colossal,” Young told Sky.
“Obviously, he got the goal, but his all-around play was fantastic; he marshalled Ollie Watkins. He was fantastic when he was on the pitch, and Arsenal have a fantastic squad.”
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