Arsenal's Gabriel has opened up on his struggles to defend against Bukayo Saka during training, after the winger's starring role in England's win over Ukraine.
Saka scored a stunning goal to seal the Three Lions' victory in their second Euro 2024 qualifer, which put them in command of Group C. That impressive performance comes amid his stunning form for the Gunners, for whom he has scored 13 goals this term.
The winger has also notched 10 assists to help Mikel Arteta 's side storm to the top of the Premier League. But it appears that it is not only opponents who Saka has been causing problems for this season.
Gabriel has now revealed that the England international is the man he struggles against most during training. The Brazilian hailed the 21-year-old as he admitted that Saka is "too strong" for him to deal with.
"For me, he's had the best moment. He's so good. If I'm the defender who plays against him, my head is in trouble. Because he's so hard, too strong 1v1. He helps the team a lot and you see this season and last season, he's so good," Gabriel told Premier League Uncut.
Gabriel is not the only person to have been left in awe of Saka this season. England boss Gareth Southgate lavished praise on the winger following the Three Lions' win over Ukraine on Sunday.
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Saka scored his country's second goal at Wembley, cutting inside from the right to fire an unstoppable shot past Ukraine keeper Anatolii Trubin from outside the box. That stunning strike led to Southgate picking out Saka for special praise.
"You know that when he cuts in that’s possible. We’d got him away well in one-v-one’s, a few times we’d crowded his space a little bit but once he receives inside and gets turns you know there’s a chance that this might happen," he told Channel 4.
"It’s a top-level finish, that’s really the ruthless part I think he’s added to his game in the last 18 months or so. There were times you weren’t certain he was going to finish and now you’ve got real confidence when he’s through on goal.
"It’s the mentality that is the outstanding part. Quality is obviously the technical part, that’s obvious when you’re watching the games."
"But these two boys [Saka and Jude Bellingham ] have got the humility, they want to learn, they’ve worked unbelievably hard for the team, totally reliable and they’re a joy to work with really."
Saka will now return to Arsenal in the coming days ahead of the Premier League's return to action. The Gunners host Leeds on Saturday in the first of their final 10 games of the campaign.
