Roberto De Zerbi has claimed that Micky van de Ven is the best left centre-back in the Premier League, and as you might expect, Arsenal supporters have found the statement rather difficult to take seriously given that Gabriel Magalhaes is set to end this season as both a Premier League champion and potentially a Champions League winner.
The comments came in De Zerbi’s pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon, with the Tottenham manager speaking warmly about the Dutch defender ahead of Sunday’s final-day relegation dogfight against Everton. While Arsenal prepare to lift the Premier League trophy at Selhurst Park, Spurs need to avoid defeat at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to preserve their top-flight status. If they lose and West Ham beat Leeds at the London Stadium, they go down.
In that context, De Zerbi saying Van de Ven is the best left centre-back in the division is either a genuine tactical assessment or a very deliberate attempt to boost a player’s confidence before the most important ninety minutes of his career. Either way, Arsenal fans who have watched Jamie Carragher call Gabriel the most influential player in the Premier League this season were not particularly impressed.
What Roberto De Zerbi said about Van de Ven and why Arsenal fans disagree
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“We took a lot of time with Van de Ven,” De Zerbi told reporters. “I think he suffered maybe too much for the situation of Tottenham this season. He’s a sensitive guy. He’s a good guy. In my time, I think he played amazing. He’s the best left centre-back in the Premier League.”
It is worth noting that De Zerbi said left centre-back specifically, which Arsenal fans spotted immediately. As one supporter put it on X: “He said centre-back and realised he was being ridiculous because of Saliba and Gabriel, and then decided left centre-back because it’s just a little less ridiculous.” The reactions came quickly and they came with relish. One fan wrote: “Hahahaha. Keep him and see how you get on next season.”
Hahahaha. Keep him and see how you get on next season.
— AuraFC (@ItsAuraFC) May 22, 2026
Another added: “He’ll be the best left centre-back in the Championship too.”
He’ll be the best left centre back in the championship too.
— Rob Horton (@boringAFC) May 22, 2026
A third kept it simple: “Has he ever watched Gabriel?”
What Gabriel Magalhaes and Van de Ven are actually finishing this season with
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The contrast between where the two players end this season tells its own story. Gabriel Magalhaes will lift the Premier League trophy on Sunday afternoon and walk out at the Puskas Arena on May 30 for the Champions League final against PSG. Van de Ven will play a relegation decider, knowing that defeat could send him to the Championship.
Van de Ven is undoubtedly a good player who has been unfortunate to spend his career at a club that has not been able to make proper use of his ability. The injuries have not helped and he deserves better than the situation Tottenham have found themselves in. But claiming him over Gabriel while both players’ seasons are playing out in the way they are takes a considerable amount of optimism from his manager. Arsenal fans will not stop laughing about it for some time.
Related Items:Latest Gabriel Magalhaes News | Transfer News | Injury News and Update, Micky van de Ven, Roberto De Zerbi
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