Mikel Arteta has been told that he should consider replacing Gabriel Magalhaes in the summer transfer window because the defender is a liability.
Arsenal ended their four-game winless run in all competitions by twice coming from behind to beat Aston Villa 4-2 on Saturday. The Gunners scored twice in added time thanks to an Emiliano Martinez own goal after Jorginho’s long shot struck the woodwork and Gabriel Martinelli’s tap-in on the break.
After their damaging defeat against Manchester City on Wednesday, they are now back on track in the title race. However, the defence remains a concern with Arteta’s side having gone five games without a clean sheet.
Arsenal still have a great chance of winning a first Premier League title since 2004, but Gunners legend Alan Smith is unconvinced by Gabriel. The Brazilian centre-back joined the club in a £23million move from Lille in September 2020 and has made 101 appearances for the club, but his rash nature means there are mistakes in him.
“Gabriel would be a concern for Arteta in the future. He can be so emotional on these occasions and that can affect his game,” Smith told Bestgamblingsites.com. “If you look at [William] Saliba, you hardly notice him because he’s so calm. He does the simple things really effectively.
“Whereas Gabriel catches the eye for a number of reasons and I think it’s something Arteta will consider if he can rely on him going into these big games. That’s an issue for Arsenal I think.”
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Gabriel has been an ever-present for Arsenal in the Premier League this season, partnering Saliba in Arteta’s first-choice defence. And while the team has generally performed well, there have been a few worrying moments for the 25-year-old.
The latest came in the 3-1 defeat by City, when he got the wrong side of Erling Haaland before bringing him down to concede a penalty. He was fortunate to be reprieved by the offside flag against Haaland – but that incident stood out for former Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor
“It is Gabriel, for me, though,” he said on talkSPORT. “Every time you watch him, he is the one you always think has a mistake in him. Yesterday, the penalty that was not given because Haaland was offside.
“He got away with one, there. He wanted to fight and battle with Haaland and then gives away a penalty. Then the goal that Haaland scores – it is just poor defending all round, giving the ball away at times where you shouldn’t be.”
Gabriel has played every minute of Arsenal’s 23 Premier League games alongside Saliba this season, with Arteta unwilling to rotate his side. The Gunners have Rob Holding as the first back-up in central defence, with £50m signing Ben White playing at right-back this season.
Arsenal signed Poland international defender Jakub Kiwior for £21m from Spezia in the January transfer window. The 22-year-old is yet to play for the Gunners since his arrival.
