Arsenal star Gabriel Magalhaes is finally starting to get the credit he deserves, having blossomed into one of the best defenders in the Premier League.
The Brazillian was the best player on the pitch as Arsenal beat Crystal Palace 5-0 last weekend, with the defender scoring both goals in the first half to give his side a comfortable lead.
His second goal was originally given as a Dean Henderson own goal, but this has now been corrected and awarded to the 26-year-old and was his third strike of the season.
Arsenal have become the best team in the league when it comes to set-pieces, and Gabriel has been a huge part of that since his arrival in 2020, and he is now statistically the best defender in the Premier League for one incredible stat.
Gabriel Magalhaes is level with James Ward-Prowse for set-piece goals
Journalist James Benge has now confirmed that, following the confirmation that Gabriel had scored the second goal against Palace, he is the highest-scoring defender from set-pieces in the Premier League since he joined, and is the joint-highest overall set-piece scorer alongside West Ham star James Ward-Prowse.
“Since he arrived at Arsenal, Gabriel Magalhaes has scored the most goals from set pieces (excl. penalties) of any player in the Premier League,” Benge posted on X.
“His 13 over the past three and a half seasons places him level with James Ward-Prowse.”
Gabriel offers Arsenal new edge in set-pieces
Gabriel’s aerial ability is a blessing for Mikel Arteta in both boxes, and this stat truly places him among the best in the world when it comes to attacking set-pieces.
Ward-Prowse’s ability to score from direct free-kicks is one of the best in Premier League history, and the £30m midfielder’s impact on them has been described as “world-class.”
For Gabriel to be level with him truly emphasises how influential he has been when it comes to attacking the opposition box in the air.
Having a player of his quality in the air offers Arsenal a different edge when it comes to set-pieces, and it is clear that Arteta is keen on adding variety to the dead-ball situations, with Leandro Trossard helping create Gabriel’s first goal against Palace through a clever run.
Gabriel is well on his way to becoming Arsenal’s highest-scoring defender, and has arguably been Arteta’s best signing considering his price and the way he has blossomed into an outstanding centre-back alongside William Saliba.
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