Gabriel Magalhaes inflicted damage on Aston Villa on and off the pitch during Arsenal’s 4-1 win.
The Brazilian returned to the starting XI in the Premier League for the first time since early November and made his presence known.
Jamie Carragher thinks Gabriel is the most influential player in the Premier League, and the defender backed up the pundit’s claim against Aston Villa.
Gabriel scored and put in a monstrous defensive shift to keep Unai Emery’s side out, but his ability to get under the Villans’ skin didn’t end when the final whistle blew.
Who was Arsenal’s Man of the Match against Aston Villa?
Gabriel Magalhaes mocked Amadou Onana’s celebration after beating Aston Villa
Arsenal are familiar with Gabriel stealing players’ celebrations, as he did to Viktor Gyokeres when the Swede was an opponent in the 2024/25 Champions League.
Against Aston Villa, the centre-back was up to his old tricks again, as after the game, Gabriel mimicked Amadou Onana’s celebration.
Villa beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge three days before facing Arsenal, and after their win, Onana celebrated in the tunnel by acting out putting three points in his pocket.
After beating Villa, Arsenal’s official X account posted a video of the players walking to the dressing room, when Gabriel was filmed acting out Onana’s celebration.
It was a cheeky response to Arsenal’s win from the 28-year-old, who enjoys the banterous side of playing in the Premier League.
Gabriel was incredible against Aston Villa
If there was one player who could get away with mocking the opposition, it’s Gabriel, who earned the right to celebrate after the game.
Sum up Gabriel’s performance in three words!
The Brazil international returned to the starting XI as if he’d never left, restoring the defensive stability that Arsenal were missing.
It was a triumphant performance from Arteta’s centre-back, whose return to action has come at the perfect time.
Gabriel made the difference against Villa, showing exactly why he’s regarded as one of the world’s best.
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