Garth Crooks has lauded Gabriel Magalhaes after the Arsenal’s defender’s performance on Sunday against Liverpool.
The Brazilian international has been a rock for the Gunners this season and was again influential at the back in Arsenal’s immense 3-1 win against the Reds at the Emirates Stadium.
Whilst Gabriel conceded an own goal that defied all logic, the centre-back was hardly at fault for the error, and Crooks has now lavished the defender in praise for his overall performance.
The BBC Sport pundit wrote: “This has been an amazing week for Arsenal and in particular Gabriel. The defender very much wears his heart on his sleeve and is totally committed to the cause.
“Against Nottingham Forest he was in the thick of it and played his part in a resolute performance by the Gunners. However, it was his display in defence against Liverpool that really impressed.
“He never gave Diogo Jota a kick, who looked like he missed the physical presence of Darwin Nunez. Meanwhile, Gabriel’s partnership with William Saliba reduced Liverpool’s chances to a minimum.”
Gabriel Magalhaes was immense for Arsenal against Liverpool
Whilst the own goal has gone as Gabriel’s, the error was more of a result of a lack of communication between Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya and centre-back William Saliba.
Yet such is the Brazilian’s quality that even a game where the defender scores an own goal can one assess that Gabriel was immense at the back for the Gunners.
Indeed, the former LOSC Lille star has been fantastic yet again for Arsenal this season, with real shouts now being made that Gabriel is the most underrated player in all of the Premier League.
And Sunday’s performance might have proven just that, with Gabriel keeping Liverpool at bay with relative ease and showing why he’s one of Arsenal’s most important players under Mikel Arteta.
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