Arsenal legend Ian Wright and former Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand have agreed in their assessment of Gabriel Magalhaes' 'rash' decisions. The Brazilian defender conceded a penalty in the 2-2 draw against West Ham as Said Benrahma converted his spot kick to bring the Hammers back into the game.
Early goals from Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard handed the Gunners a perfect start at the London Stadium. A mistake from Thomas Partey led to Gabriel sliding in on Benrahma and conceding a penalty, handing West Ham a way back into a game they looked like there was no way back in to.
Jarrod Bowen equalised just minutes after Bukayo Saka missed a crucial penalty in the match - and title race - with Gabriel failing to deal with the ball as it looped over his head to the Hammers star to volley past Aaron Ramsdale. Jamie Carragher criticised Gabriel for a lack of composure in the clash against West Ham, but Wright has already highlighted how the Brazilian can be 'naive' at times.
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Following the defeat against Man City at the Emirates Stadium in February, Wright criticised Gabriel for his 'inexperience' which led to Arsenal losing the game. The Gunners icon said: "We were very fortunate that he didn’t give away a penalty because he was offside but for me the pass [for Grealish goal] is into nowhere.
"City are setting traps for him there and as soon as they win the ball, bang, they get the ball back and Haaland’s awareness for a striker was very good because he could have easily had a shot but he’s made sure that he passed it on so that they definitely get the goal and go in front. For me it came down to a bit of naivety and inexperience but they are the youngest team in the league and you’re going to get those type of mistakes.
"For me Gabriel doesn’t know where it’s going. That’s going to be a problem and it was."
Ferdinand has now agreed with Wright's verdict and believes Mikel Arteta could begin to have doubts over the 'rash' Gabriel following Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with West Ham on Sunday. "I thought they [Arsenal] let themselves down," Ferdinand said on Vibe With Five.
"They had the game in a stranglehold, they had West Ham where they wanted them, going into half time 2-0 up, you coast that game. But rash… and I’ve said this about Gabriel a few times.
"He’s rash, he makes mad, wild decisions. As a defender you’ve got to be calm.
"There’s no need for him to do what he did. It was a rush of blood, he needs to eradicate that, get that out of his game quick.
"As a manager you don’t want to see that. Because those types of things ruin the head too many times, it starts becoming part of their make-up, and you’re going, ‘hold on, can I rely on this guy?’. I think he’s had a fabulous season, Gabriel. But those types of decisions can be very costly, he’s in the run-in now. That will hurt, the way they dropped points."
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