Arsenal showcased a defensive masterclass against Manchester City to earn a point at the Etihad.
It was so nearly a different result, as John Stones’ last-gasp equaliser deprived Mikel Arteta of Arsenal’s first win away to City since 2015.
The Gunners led 2-1 for the majority however, playing with 10 men after Leandro Trossard’s first half dismissal made matters intensely worse.
Still, Arsenal walked away with a point at the home of the champions with a man short, giving Areta plenty to applaud despite the last minute goal.
Rio Ferdinand says Arsenal’s Gabriel is like Nemanja Vidic
Arsenal saw Riccardo Calafiori score a wonderful goal on his full Premier League debut, as a more familiar face found the back of the net for the second.
Centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes scored his second goal in a week for the Gunners, adding to the match-winner header he netted against Tottenham on match day four.
The Brazilian found himself in a similar situation at the Etihad, as he found a path in the box that led him to Bukayo Saka’s inch-perfect cross from the corner.
As a result of his antics in the box to score the goal, Gabriel has been compared to a Premier League great, as per the belief of Rio Ferdinand.
Speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast alongside Mark Noble, the Manchester United icon formed a comparison between the Arsenal defender and one of his former teammates at Old Trafford, Nemanja Vidic.
Noble said, “Gabriel’s hunger to get on the ball is…” a statement that was taken by Ferdinand as he compared the Brazil international to Vidic.
“He reminds me of Vidic a bit in the opposition box,” Ferdinand replied, to which Noble dubbed Gabriel “obsessive” in the box for set-pieces.
The duo were left seriously impressed by Gabriel’s goal against Man City, which was almost a carbon copy of his header at Spurs just a week prior.
Gabriel’s Premier League scoring record for Arsenal
The Brazilian’s goal against City took his career total in the Premier League to 16, as well as carrying the defender to join Kai Havertz as Arsenal’s joint-top scorer this season.
- READ MORE: Arsenal defender Gabriel overtakes Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez in surprise Premier League record
Having a figure as ‘obsessive’ as Gabriel in the box for set-plays must be a dream for Nicolas Jover, the Gunners set-piece coach.
Equally, Jover is seen as a dream for Gabriel, who is now emerging as a genuine threat in attack in the Premier League from dead ball situations.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
