Arsenal star now worth ‘£80m’ hailed as best Mikel Arteta signing above Odegaard

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Journalist Charles Watts has now named Gabriel Magalhaes as Mikel Arteta’s best Arsenal signing. 

Arsenal paid £27 million to secure the services of Gabriel Magalhaes from Lille in the summer of 2020.

The centre-back has improved drastically across his time at the Emirates Stadium so far. Whilst in his first season in north London, he was prone to the occasional error, and did not always look entirely comfortable on the ball, the 26-year-old has now grown into a reliable rock at the back.

The Brazilian has forged a fantastic partnership with William Saliba in the heart of the Arsenal rearguard. Whilst the Frenchman often gets more of the spotlight, Gabriel is every bit as important to the Gunners’ defensive solidity. 

Gabriel is also a weapon at the other end of the pitch. Across his 147 appearances for the club he has chipped in with 13 goals, which is an excellent return for a centre-back. He is dominant in the air and willing to fight and battle for every ball, which makes him a force to be reckoned with in both boxes. 

Mikel Arteta will be delighted with the return he has received on his initial investment in the player. 

Where does Gabriel Magalhaes rank as a Mikel Arteta signing?

Charles Watts is now convinced that the defender has to be considered the Spanish coach’s most successful signing so far. 

Speaking on his Inside Arsenal YouTube platform, the reporter said, “I think Gabriel is certainly up there. I think Odegaard has to be up there. Those are the two. But Gabriel, when you look at the minutes he’s played, his consistency, how good he is defensively, the partnership he’s struck up with Saliba, the goals he’s scored – 12 in the Premier League now which is more than any other defender since he joined – and the leadership he shows. Just so many positives from that.”

“You look at how much Arsenal spent on him, around £27m, if they sold him now, you’re looking at about an £80m defender there. I think that says it all in terms of how good he’s been at Arsenal.”

Martin Odegaard certainly has a good claim to be Arteta’s best signing. Since initially joining on loan from Real Madrid, and then signing permanently for £30 million, the Norwegian playmaker has established himself as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League and has become the Arsenal club captain.

Ultimately, though, the decision to bring Gabriel to the club has to be considered excellent business. He is also a growing influence on others at the club. Declan Rice has credited Gabriel for setting an excellent example at Arsenal.

It is vital for the Gunners that Gabriel is able to stay fit and full of confidence throughout the rest of the season. The loss of Saliba to injury derailed the club’s Premier League title push last season. Losing Gabriel would have a similarly detrimental impact. It is crucial that that partnership is able to stick together.