Arsenal legend Ian Wright believes Gabriel Magalhaes was ‘like Godzilla’ during the Gunners’ 5-0 win over Crystal Palace as the defender was ‘unstoppable’ in the area.
The 26-year-old helped Arsenal secure an emphatic victory over the Eagles on Saturday. He broke the deadlock after 11 minutes before playing a direct role in Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson scoring an own goal on 37 minutes. It was Gabriel’s second goal this term.
Gabriel had only scored his first goal in the Premier League this season in Arsenal’s 1-1 draw at Liverpool. The centre-back has started 17 of his 19 appearances over 21 potential fixtures to date. He has started in 27 games for 29 appearances over 31 matches in all competitions.
Arsenal legend Wright thinks Gabriel was ‘unstoppable’ vs Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace tasked Chris Richards with marking Gabriel at both corners which led to goals at Emirates Stadium. But the Arsenal star had the better of his centre-half counterpart in the air for his goal. Gabriel also punished Richards after briefly switching off to clinch a 2-0 lead.
Gabriel leapt over Richards to burry Declan Rice’s delivery into the bottom corner of the net for the opening goal. He then spun in behind the 23-year-old to meet Bukayo Saka’s delivery at the far post 26 minutes later. The ball would bounce in off of a helpless Henderson’s back.
Henderson could do nothing to prevent the ball from rippling his net for a second time from Gabriel’s header. But the Arsenal star may have kicked himself somewhat for failing to score himself. The Brazilian had an empty corner of the goal to aim the header at from a yard out.
Gabriel was ‘like Godzilla’ as he tore through the Eagles’ penalty area
Arsenal have now scored a Premier League-high 12 goals from set-pieces of their 42 so far this season in total. Just Everton (11) have also scored more than nine goals from set-pieces, per WhoScored. Gabriel and Eddie Nketiah lead Arsenal’s chart for set-piece goals with two.
Gabriel’s dominance in Crystal Palace’s box on Saturday also stunned Arsenal legend Wright. He believes the Sao Paulo native was ‘unstoppable’ inside the area and even likens Gabriel’s efforts to Godzilla, the fictional prehistoric reptilian monster from several blockbuster films.
The Arsenal legend exclaimed on his Wrighty’s House podcast: “I’m quite pleased that now, yes, we have got the set-pieces that can maybe give us the goals, especially when you’ve got someone like Gabriel Magalhaes attacking it like that.
“He was like a monster – he was like Godzilla going through town in that box. He was unstoppable!”
BBC pundit Garth Crooks has also praised Gabriel for taking ‘complete advantage’ of Crystal Palace’s questionable defending against Arsenal. The Brazilian was the only Gunners player to make his Premier League Team of the Week following their 5-0 win in the London derby.
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