One Arsenal player has already made his thoughts known about playing Manchester City.
The Gunners have struck quite the rivalry with Pep Guardiola’s side over the past few years, stemming from Arsenal becoming title challengers in the 2022/23 season.
Man City beat Arsenal to the Premier League title for two consecutive seasons, but recently, there’s been a power shift.
It’s been over 25 months since Guardiola got the better of Mikel Arteta in the Premier League, making Sunday’s match-up all the more thrilling.
Gabriel Magalhaes will be eager to have his best game against Manchester City
From Rodri making remarks about Arsenal’s mentality to Erling Haaland mocking Arteta, tension between the Gunners and the Cityzens has reached a new high.
As a result, both squads are more eager than ever to make their mark when the two clubs face each other, with none more motivated than Gabriel Magalhaes.
In February, Gabriel admitted he reaches new levels when he faces Erling Haaland, sharing how he strives to be at his very best when facing those at the top.
“If I’m playing against Haaland, for example, I’m not going to be quiet because I know how good he is,” the Brazilian explained.
“I need to be there, put myself at an even higher level and try to win every duel.”
Haaland has been in peak form early into the season, meaning that to contain the Norwegian, Gabriel and William Saliba will, as always, need to be at their very best.
Saliba is set to return from injury to face City, but given how fired up Gabriel is for the fixture, all eyes should be on what the 27-year-old produces.
Gabriel’s previous three meetings with Man City
Ian Wright dubbed Saliba and Gabriel as two of ‘the best’ defenders in Arsenal’s history, which is praise indeed.
Gary Lineker also called Gabriel ‘brilliant’ at one point.
The duo have certainly earned the title, with Gabriel experiencing a rollercoaster ride since joining Arteta’s project back in 2020.
| Season | Goals conceded | Clearances | Duel wins | Dribbled past |
| 2024/25 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 0 |
| 2024/25 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 1 |
| 2023/24 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Total | 3 | 14 | 8 | 1 |
When it comes to the Brazilian defender, one thing he’s proven over the years is his ability to marshal Haaland and other striker powerhouses.
In his previous three fixtures against City, Gabriel has contributed 14 clearances, being dribbled past just once over 270 minutes of action.
The 2020 signing is a man of his word, raising the bar against City and Haaland, something he’ll be desperate to replicate on matchday five at the Emirates.
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