Mikel Arteta has built a phenomenal squad at Arsenal.
The Spaniard was given the job in December 2019, a month after Unai Emery was relieved of his duties by the Gunners.
Things were very tough for Arteta early on. He had a poor squad that was just not good enough, and it took him a while to assemble the team he wanted.
Almost every player in the Arsenal first-team squad now was signed or promoted by Arteta. One of them has improved every year and is now among the best in the world.
Mikel Arteta says Gabriel Magalhaes is so strong that he can take on anyone in the world
Arsenal signed Gabriel Magalhaes from Lille in the summer of 2020.
The Brazil international had made a decent name for himself in France, but nobody had really heard about him in the Premier League.
Gabriel cost Arsenal £27 million, and that fee has proven to be one of their biggest bargains in Mikel Arteta’s reign.
The former Lille man is now one of the best centre-backs in world football, and alongside William Saliba, he has formed the most solid defensive partnership in Europe.
One of Gabriel’s biggest strengths is his physicality, and Arteta has claimed that his number six is strong enough to take on any big player in the world.
He said in his press conference, as relayed on HaytersTV: “Gabi has got many qualities and one of them is that he can get up to anybody in the world. He’s someone that really enjoys the defensive part, the contact, the physicality.
“When the game has to get to that part, he enjoys it. That’s a big quality to have.
“It’s very needed with someone like Erling (Haaland) as well, who is so physical. You need to have those qualities to be efficient.”
Gabriel has already revealed what he will do against Erling Haaland
Gabriel will come up against his nemesis, Haaland, when Arsenal take on Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday.
The two players have been involved in several altercations over the last few years, and it has always been a great battle to watch.
Facing a world-class striker like Haaland is never easy, but Gabriel enjoys the battle and is always up for the challenge.
Speaking about playing against Haaland, Gabriel said in February: “Yes it (big games) makes me comfortable, because I need to put myself in the best position and the best shape.
“I need to show up, to be present in those moments.
“If I’m playing against Haaland for example, I’m not going to be quiet because I know how good he is – no, I need to be there, put myself at an even higher level and try to win every duel.”
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