It’s absolutely clear who Arsenal’s most important players are after Aston Villa defeat

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Arsenal’s major weakness was exposed against Aston Villa in the Premier League.

The Gunners were on an 18-game unbeaten run going into the clash at Villa Park, but fans were nervous because of Mikel Arteta’s underwhelming record against Unai Emery.

Those fears from supporters came true as Aston Villa deservedly won the game, albeit with a winner in the last kick of the match.

That revealed to everyone who Arsenal’s two most important players are – William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes.

Who do you think should start as Arsenal’s centre-backs if William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes are both unavailable?

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William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes are Arsenal’s most important players

Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice are often regarded as Arsenal’s two most important players.

The Hale End graduate has carried the Gunners on his back over the years and is one of the biggest reasons why they are title contenders.

The midfielder, on the other hand, has barely ever had a bad game since his move from West Ham in 2023. Rice has been immense and is definitely irreplaceable.

However, the defeat against Aston Villa proved that Arsenal are not the same team without Saliba and Gabriel.

Piero Hincapie has come under criticism for his role in Villa’s winner, while his partner at the back, Jurrien Timber, has been accused of being ‘all over the place’.

Those two weren’t awful by any means. In fact, Arteta thought Hincapie and Timber were ‘exceptional’ despite the defeat.

However, if Saliba and Gabriel were on the pitch, Arsenal would’ve likely avoided that late goal and continued their unbeaten run.

That should tell you they are Arteta’s most important players.

Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba’s absences are also hurting Arsenal in attack

Arteta has often stressed that a defender’s first job is to defend, and Saliba and Gabriel are the masters of that. They have proven it against the best attacks in the world.

However, that’s not all they do.

Gabriel is the biggest offensive set-piece threat on the planet. Without him, Arsenal’s corners and free-kicks are not as effective.

Saliba, who has taken credit for Gabriel’s goals, is just as important as well because he plays a key role as a blocker during set-pieces.

Without them, Arsenal didn’t even come close to threatening Aston Villa’s goal from corners and free-kicks on Saturday. That further underlines just how important they are.