Journalist thinks Arsenal star who used to be ‘a bit rash at times’ has now completely transformed his game

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Mikel Arteta has helped a host of Arsenal players improve their game over the years at the Emirates.

It’s been quite the resurgence in North London in recent seasons, as Arsenal announced themselves as title challengers in the 2022/23 campaign. 

Arteta’s side have not looked back since that season, missing out on the Premier League title to Manchester City once more last term. 

The Gunners narrowed the gap between themselves and City by just two points over the 2023/24 calendar, with several star faces stepping up to bolster Arsenal’s title hopes.

• READ MORE: Three huge Arsenal decisions Mikel Arteta has already got right this season, including Kai Havertz call

Gabriel Magalhaes praised for improving one thing at Arsenal

One of the key areas of improvement at Arsenal has undoubtedly been the defence.

Arteta’s coaching staff have unleashed a new level of defensive stability, with the central defensive partnership of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes at the heart of all things reliable at the back. 

Saliba marched onto the scene in 2022, after spending several years away on loan in Ligue 1, where he developed his game to secure a place in Arteta’s favoured XI.

Gabriel on the other hand has been at Arsenal since 2020, arriving from LOSC Lille as a fraction of the player he is today.

The Brazilian’s development at the Emirates since his arrival was recently celebrated by journalist Charles Watts, who praised the defender’s stance in the Brazil national team during the October international break.

“He was a bit rash at times, his decision making often got his positioning wrong because he would dive in,” Watts explained on the Inside Arsenal podcast before recognising the centre-back’s improvement.

“He’s just cut that completely out of his game now, he’s just turned into an all-round excellent defender.

“He’s so strong, so physical, so commanding at the back and such a threat going forward, an absolute top quality centre-back.”

Gabriel is integral to Mikel Arteta’s defence

Not only has Gabriel grown into a reliable and near-perfect defender at Arsenal, but the Brazilian has become quite the goal threat for Arteta’s side.

Set piece coach Nicolas Jover is relishing the 26-year-old’s presence in the box, as Gabriel has already scored two goals this season from corners. 

• READ MORE: Former Tottenham star explains that Gabriel is better than Arsenal ace William Saliba for one reason

There are so many instances that the Brazilian has improved under Arteta, with his composure and reading of the game certainly two elements to applaud, as Watts alluded to.

There are very few central defenders in world football right now that Arteta would trade Gabriel for, telling of the 2020 arrivals growth since joining the project four years ago.