Arsenal defender Ezri Konsa heaped praise on Gabriel Magalhaes following his fantastic performance against Everton in the Premier League on Saturday.
The Gunners returned to winning ways with a comfortable 2-0 win over the Toffees at the Emirates Stadium. Konsa scored his maiden goal for the club in the seventh minute from a corner.
This was Arsenal’s first set-piece goal this campaign. Gabriel made it 2-0 in the 68th minute after a towering header from a brilliant Ben White cross.
Speaking after the game, Konsa had fond words for his centre-back partner Gabriel, who scored in his 200th Premier League appearance for the Gunners.
The 29-year-old said that he was ‘very pleased’ for Gabriel and described him as a ‘top player’ after his superb all-round showing against David Moyes’ side.
He told Premier League Productions (via BBC Sport): “Very pleased for him. He’s a top, top player. Top human being. Very happy for him. He’s my life easy since I’ve joined the club and it’s been a pleasure playing alongside him.”
Aside from his goal, Magalhaes completed 88 percent of his passes. He also made seven clearances, three recoveries, and won four ground and aerial duels.
The 28-year-old comfortably handled striker Thierno Barry, and it was a memorable game for him as well as Konsa, who bagged his first Gunners goal.
At the start of the season, there were some concerns over how Arsenal could fare in the absence of centre-back William Saliba, who picked up a back injury at the World Cup.
However, Konsa has adapted seamlessly to the club’s style of play and formed a brilliant partnership with Gabriel in the heart of the Gunners’ defence.
Saliba could make his long-awaited comeback in late November or December, but Konsa’s success means the Frenchman could be eased back into action.
The 25-year-old will obviously become a regular partner for Gabriel when fully fit, but manager Mikel Arteta could initially feature him as a substitute.
Arsenal’s next game is against Fleetwood Town in the Carabao Cup fourth round on Tuesday evening, before they visit Liverpool in the league on Sunday.
Arteta is expected to ring in the changes in midweek. We won’t be surprised if both Konsa and Gabriel are rested. Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie could start as the centre-backs.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Sofascore.com