Mikel Arteta says he’s been impressed with the way Gabriel Magalhães is adapting to life in England and that the centre-back is benefitting from Arsenal’s more solid defensive structure.
Signed for £27 million from Lille in early September, the 22-year-old has already become a regular this season, starting three of our four games in the Premier League and performing diligently in the League Cup win over Liverpool.
A physically imposing presence on the left side of the backline, the Brazilian has also been a willing student of our playing philosophy helping to play the ball out from the back with real calm and intelligence.
Asked about the defender following the Gunners’ 2-1 win over Sheffield United, Arteta said: “I am very impressed because I’ve always said that in this league, in this country, one of the most difficult positions to play is as a centre-back because you get challenged and exposed many times and tested many many times.
“I saw from the first day, he has a lot of personality, he has big courage to play and he’s not impressed by anything.
“He’s very secure, very stable mentally as well throughout the game and I think he has the physical and technical attributes to adapt really well to the league.
“That’s why we signed him, but credit to him because to do it in this short space of time, I think that’s a big thing.”
For the most part this season, the Gunners have lined up with a fluid defensive system that has seen us alternate between a four-man backline in possession of the ball and a five-man setup without it. Arteta feels the structure is helping with Gabriel’s integration.
“I think for him to be stable, for him to perform, he needs the right structure around him and the right organisation,” said the boss.
“I think we are getting much better at that. I am seeing a lot defenders involved saying it’s something we had to improve. Yes, it’s made us a more solid team. As you can see he doesn’t get exposed in many open spaces.
“This is more about the function and the structure of the team and that’s going to help them. The better our process is with the ball, the better we progress into the final third, [the better] we’re going to help our strikers so the defence is the same.”
Looking good. Big talk physical guy, we’ve needed someone like him for some time. Hope he keeps at the same level or better.
Gabriel is performing the way we thought saliba would perform if he played. Am glad there was less hype around gabriel.
Missing out on Partey and Aouar is typical of tight Arsenal owners, all other teams have targets and get the players they wish, Arsenal take forever and always never get their targets. The Kronke family only put money into their American teams, they should never have been allowed to purchase such a great team as Arsenal. Not a bad performance and at least they did not put Holding in the team, he should never be in the squad and selling Martinez was a travisty. If anything, Leno should have been sold, if anyone would have been interested. He does make… Read more »
Did you miss the Liverpool game the other day?
I don’t think you should be that negative, I know it may not be a popular idea right now but I am sure Edu and Arteta have alternative targets in mind let’s just wait for the window to close before passing judgement.
david, do u really watch football game? u know what r u talking about? ?
The kronekies approve the budget. Who we spend it on is now down to Arteta and Edu, the others facilitate. Selling Leno or Martinez was their decision, getting Partey and or Aouar over the line is down to them as well. They obviously do have a finite amount of money to spend but like them or hate them, the Kroenkies don’t pick the players.
what the fuck are you on, David
Martinez again made a passing error today. But yes he was good in some aspects but not invincible. Also if we dnt spend emi’s 20 mil plus some more then am pissed like you
I can absolutely guarantee David’s extent of watching Saliba play is Youtube highlights. Which as we all know provides a more informed opinion than extensive scouting and observing training
How do you mean by whether Arteta is overly friendly with Holding off the pitch??!!
Kroenke blah, blah, blah. Waste of time complaining, however justified, as nothing will change. We are where we are with him. As for Martinez, we had to sell someone who was “saleable”, unlike most of the players we really want to offload – which is why we haven’t sold any so far. Arteta probably made the decision and, if so, that’s what he’s paid for. Time will tell if he’s right.
What a load of waffle ?
“ he’s not impressed by anything “
Apt af
If there’s a player not good enough for Chelsea first team he shouldn’t be good enough for arsenal
True, but…
Hahaha
Our defence is a work in progress. We’ll get there.
I hope we do. That said, it’s the attack that’s below par on the evidence of recent games. Whatever the Spuds and Villa were taking in their tea I wish we’d had some when we visited Liverpool in the PL.
It’s great that when he challenges for a header he shows so much commitment and ability that you always fancy him to win it convincingly.
Signing of the decade! And we’ve only started the new decade
Good to see us go to a back 4 today. I thought we coped reasonably well besides the Sideshowbob mistake which Leno was fortunately far off his line enough to bail out. Magalhaes brings good pace and strength plus awareness and can make the difference for us further up. Adding Pepe later on the flank made the trick as well with Willian coming in field to help Ceballos overload where had we been in back 3, we may not have as many resources to populate in the middle attacking third. Massive difference today. In particular as the game got stretched… Read more »
I have been impressed with his start. Seems to be able to pick a pass well and saw him giving someone “what for” in the Sheffield game as well as urging concentration at a corner at the end of the game. Both those things pleased me, so long may it continue.
And just 22