Arsenal strolled to a comfortable 5-0 victory against Crystal Palace last week to get back to winning ways, and defender Gabriel Magalhaes was the best player on the pitch.
Gabriel opened the scoring after an excellent header from a corner taken by Declan Rice, which also saw Leandro Trossard make space with a clever inside run.
He then thought he had doubled the lead later in the first half with another header from a corner, this time taken by Bukayo Saka. However, the goal was then credited as an own goal by goalkeeper Dean Henderson.
This was a surprise, given that Gabriel had placed his header on target, which then ricocheted off Henderson on its way into the net.
Gabriel was then awarded with an assist, rather than the goal, but this has now been changed, much to his delight.
Gabriel Magalhaes awarded second goal against Crystal Palace
Journalist Ian Dennis has now revealed that the Brazil International has now been awarded his second strike of the game.
“The Premier League have confirmed that after an appeal by Arsenal that Gabriel will be credited with the goal scored in the 37th minute v Crystal Palace rather than an own goal by Dean Henderson,” he posted on X.
This means that Gabriel finished the game with two goals instead of one, and Saka finished the game with an assist, in what was an overall improved performance after a difficult few weeks.
Gabriel’s performance against Crystal Palace
Arsenal fans in the Emirates Stadium were under the impression that Gabriel had netted a first half brace anyway, and they were delighted with his impact.
Beyond his goals, Gabriel was phenomenal at the back for Arsenal, and Palace could hardly find a way past him in what was a monstrous performance.
The 26-year-old is often overlooked for praise when compared to his partner William Saliba, but deserves enormous credit in his own right.
He was recently described as the best signing Mikel Arteta has made since the Spaniard’s arrival at the club, and given his improvement over the years, his consistency now and his overall quality, it is hard to argue against this.
This goal takes his season tally to three, following his header in a 1-1 draw at Liverpool in December, and with Arsenal flourishing at attacking set pieces this season, there could be more to come during the second half of the campaign.
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