Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher has backed Arsenal defender Gabriel to win this season’s PFA Player of the Year award.
Only three other defenders have been recipients of the accolade, but Carragher firmly believes Gabriel would be worthy of the honour if the Gunners do finish top of the table:
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“I think if Arsenal go on and win the league, right now, I think he’s the number one contender. I look at those other three players (Paul McGrath, John Terry, Virgil van Dijk), great players, all leaders for their clubs like Gabriel is.”
“Actually, John Terry is the only one to win the Premier League in the year he won the PFA Player of the Year award. But when you actually look at John Terry and Virgil van Dijk’s role, look at the goals.”
“They’re not just big leaders at the back, the number of goals they get… and [Gabriel’s] record is actually far better than theirs when you look at those numbers.”
Gabriel is making a case for himself to win the prize
As Carragher mentions, the Brazilian has a knack for scoring important goals for his club, and that was demonstrated by his last-gasp winner against Newcastle last month.
Gabriel certainly doesn’t shirk his defensive duties either, with Arsenal having conceded just three times in their first 9 league games.
If they continue at this rate, Mikel Arteta’s side could end up breaking the Premier League record for the lowest number of goals conceded in a single season. Chelsea let in just 15 during the 2004/05 campaign.
Arsenal do have other candidates
The likes of Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber are definitely in the frame, in addition to Gabriel, based on the form they have shown over the last few months. All three have played week in, week out at a consistently high level.
Of course, a lot can still happen between now and May, but the Gunners currently have several players who will be in contention when it comes to the end-of-season awards.
Read more about the Arsenal First Team Squad for 2025/26 here