Jamie Carragher admits his opinion of ‘fantastic’ Arsenal player has now completely changed

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Jamie Carragher has admitted that he was wrong with one assumption he made about Gabriel Magalhaes.

The Sky Sports pundit doesn’t shy away from making his opinion about Arsenal known, and did so after the Gunners beat Newcastle.

Mikel Arteta might’ve made the Liverpool icon feel a little red-faced, as Carragher’s criticism of Arsenal having the handbrake on was answered in style by the boss. 

Though Carragher has gone in heavy on Arsenal in recent months, the pundit has just admitted he was wrong about one thing. 

• READ MORE: Jamie Carragher names the three players who could win Arsenal the league

Jamie Carragher says his opinion of Gabriel Magalhaes has changed

Gabriel Magalhaes was a talking point from Arsenal’s win over Newcastle, both positively and in a controversial light. 

Some think that Gabriel could’ve been sent off at St James’ Park, but instead, the Brazilian went on to be the match winner. 

Analysing the game on Sky Sports Monday Night Football, Carragher focused on Gabriel, admitting that his opinion on the centre-back has changed. 

“What I would say about Gabriel now, after watching him for the last two years, he’s becoming a real leader for that club,” Carragher began.

“I always thought Saliba was a different level to Gabriel. I think they’re on the same level. I think he’s fantastic at what he does at both ends of the pitch.”

Carragher revealed that while he once thought Saliba was better than Gabriel, the Brazilian is, in some ways, even more important to Arsenal, being a leader and, surprisingly, a goalscorer. 

How many goals Gabriel has scored since his Premier League debut

Arsenal didn’t sign Gabriel to score goals, but it’s becoming clear that it’s one of the 27-year-old’s greatest strengths.

Gabriel isn’t only one of the best centre-backs in the league, but one of the most potent in front of goal, too.

After scoring against Newcastle, Gabriel’s tally rose to 18 in the Premier League, which is four more goals than any other defender since his debut in 2020.

Even Trent Alexander-Arnold’s excellence in the final third couldn’t compete with Gabriel, who is a class above any other defender when it comes to putting the ball in the net.

The Brazil international’s ability to score has been a revelation for Arsenal, with no challenge seeming to be too big for their number six.