Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has named Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes as the most influential player in the Premier League. He believes the Brazilian was brilliant against Aston Villa and that he makes the Gunners play better when he is on the pitch.
Speaking on Sky Sports after the game, Carragher said Gabriel gives Mikel Arteta's side the edge in games as he delivers on both ends of the pitch. He was heaping praise on the defender after his goal in the win over Aston Villa and said (via Mirror):
"It felt like more than three points, psychologically. The feeling around the training ground tomorrow will be completely different. Gabriel being back is huge. Before I've said that he's the most influential player in the Premier League, and we've seen it again tonight. It was fantastic for everybody in that stadium tonight."
Arteta could not stop himself from talking about Gabriel as well, claiming that the Brazilian came back from injury faster than expected to deliver against one of the best sides in the league. He said:
“He comes back from an injury of six weeks that probably should have been a bit longer, and plays against probably the team that is the hardest to control, especially the front players and the striker that they have, in terms of their movements and he impacted the game in an incredible way, both defending and in the opposition box.”
Gabriel has been out since November after picking up an injury in Brazil's friendly game against Senegal. He made his first start against Aston Villa on December 30, after coming off the bench in the win over Brighton & Hove Albion last week.
Arsenal star heaps praise on Gabriel Magalhaes
Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus also scored the 4-1 win over Aston Villa, but he could not stop praising teammate Gabriel Magalhaes. He believes that the Gunners play better when the defender is starting for them and said (via Arsenal Insider):
“For sure. I thought I said after the last game straight away, when they asked me about him, the moment he stepped on the pitch, you could see the difference in our backline. This guy loves to defend the same way I love to attack, and then obviously he loves to score goals as well.”
Arsenal extended their lead at the top to five points, putting pressure on Manchester City, who face Sunderland on New Year's Day.