‘He’s the chief threat…’ Gary Lineker names injured Arsenal star as key reason behind new attacking slump

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Arsenal will end another season without a trophy after slumping to defeat in Paris.

PSG’s 2-1 victory over Arsenal meant that Luis Enrique’s side progress to the Champions League final after winning 3-1 on aggregate over the two legs.

It could have been a different story for Mikel Arteta’s side, Gianluigi Donnarumma was the difference between the two teams as Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard somehow saw early efforts thwarted.

Thierry Henry believes PSG deserved to go through but Arsenal can be proud of their efforts on a night that summed up their season in terms of missed chances and ill-fortune.

READ MORE: Mikel Arteta should call Stan Kroenke and make one thing clear after Arsenal’s defeat to PSG, it’s time

Gary Lineker highlights Gabriel Magalhaes absence for Arsenal

Speaking on the latest episode of ‘The Rest is Football’ podcast, pundit Gary Lineker has highlighted the absence of Gabriel Magalhaes as a big loss for the Gunners.

Arteta’s side tried to expose PSG’s flaws from set-pieces over the two games but were unsuccessful and Lineker believes Gabriel is the reason for Arsenal’s strength in that area.

Lineker stated: “I think Gabriel is a big miss at the back. I mean, he’s a warrior and he’s also such a threat from corners.

“I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Arsenal haven’t scored as many corners as of late because he’s the chief threat from those, although they’re a little predictable from corners now.”

Jamie Redknapp slammed Arsenal for their poor defensive record from set-pieces this season and there is no doubt the Brazilian’s power in the air has been missed in both boxes.

William Saliba is better than Gabriel Magalhaes in the air

Despite scoring more goals than his defensive partner, Gabriel has won fewer aerial duels than William Saliba this season.

Of all of Arsenal’s main threats in the air defensively, Ben White has the best success rate of winning headers from his roles at right back and occasionally centre half.

However, Gabriel’s movement and desire to attack the ball in both boxes is what makes him Arsenal’s ‘chief threat’ from corner and free-kick routines.

Nicolas Jover will have a summer to come up with new attacking routines but solidify the Gunners’ poor record in defending set plays.