Arsenal have emerged as one of the best defensive teams in the Premier League this season, with Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba forming quite a partnership.
The centre-back duo have looked comfortable from the first minute together in pre-season 2022, with Gabriel and Saliba offering something few Arsenal fans have not seen in many a year from a defensive pairing.
Arsenal’s unreal record at the back has been down in large part to Gabriel and Saliba’s immense performances at the back, namely the north London side’s 0-0 draw against Manchester City as well as clean sheets away to the likes of West Ham and Brighton & Hove Albion.
And one new stat has now show just how incredible the two Arsenal players really have been under Arteta.
Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba brilliance shown in incredible Arsenal stat
As per Sky Sports during their coverage of today’s game against Aston Villa, Arsenal’s record with and without Gabriel and Saliba makes for stark reading over how improved the Gunners are at the back when the duo are playing.
Arsenal’s win percentage without either player plummets from 74% to 53%, with the goals conceded per game ratio changes as well from 0.9 to 1.4, a clear sign that the north London side rely heavily on Gabriel and Saliba.
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Indeed, with both players on long-term contracts and both aged 27 and under, Arsenal’s defence is arguably set for the next few years, with the likes of Ben White, Jakub Kiwior and Takehiro Tomiyasu all able to cover at centre-back as well.
Yet in Gabriel and Saliba, Arsenal have found their dream partnership at the back, with the duo having an understanding that few defenders can ever reach with a fellow centre-back, much to Arteta’s joy.
Arsenal have struck gold with centre-back pairing
It’s been a good few years since Arsenal have had a truly world-class centre-back pairing, with the last great duo arguably that of Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny of the 2013/14 season.
Yet in Gabriel and Saliba, Arsenal finally have a pairing that could realistically play for the club for the next ten years, with the duo clearly loving playing in north London and alongside each other.
Indeed, Arsenal struck gold with the signings of Gabriel and Saliba, and the pair will only get better from here given how young the two defenders are compared to the true Premier League greats currently plying their trade.
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