Gabriel Magalhães stands at the centre of Arsenal's defensive strength. He is physical, commanding and aggressive in the air. His left foot adds balance to the back line, and his presence gives Arsenal a threat from set pieces and long throws. If Saliba brings calm and technical grace, Gabriel supplies grit and aerial dominance. Over the 2024–25 season, Gabriel has become nearly indispensable to Arteta's defensive identity.
Gabriel logged more minutes than almost anyone in the squad. He started 36 Premier League games and played 48 times across all competitions. His consistency contributed to Arsenal finishing with one of the best defensive records in the league. Gabriel rarely let fatigue or form dip impact his performance. His tackle success rate and interception numbers put him in the top tier of centre backs in the division.
There were occasional errors under pressure, but those moments became increasingly rare. Even in high-stakes matches he seldom looked beaten or rattled. Whenever he was rested or unavailable, Arsenal’s defensive shape felt less secure. His return to the side often coincided with improved team structure and greater confidence at the back. Gabriel’s leadership has grown steadily. He celebrates blocks and clearances as if they were goals, and that energy spreads throughout the team.
Tactical Fit
Gabriel is tailor-made for Arteta’s system. His aggression allows Saliba to step into midfield when needed, and his mobility helps drift wide in a high line. He reads danger early and reacts with physicality. While his passing range is not as polished as Saliba’s, his passing accuracy remained high. He often finds the fullbacks or midfielders with bold forward switches or long diagonals that break opponent lines.
His aerial ability defines him. In both boxes Arsenal relies on his dominance during corners or set pieces both to defend and to score. He wins high and ground duels with physical certainty but also timing. That combination makes him difficult to bypass.
Defensively, he rarely gives away fouls or blind tackles. He anticipates space, smothers runners and recovers with strength. His left-sided presence helps close down space in channels and make Arsenal more compact when pressing. He is not just a defender. He is a disturbance to opponents.
Long-Term Considerations
With Gabriel clearly part of Arteta’s core plans there is little appetite to move him on. Still, if an extraordinary offer arrived from another club Gabriel’s value would command attention. Arsenal know they would need to reinvest in a similarly strong left-footed defender. That is not an outside possibility given how rare players of Gabriel’s physical and tactical profile are.
Arsenal would only consider such a move if they were fully confident in a replacement or had renewed plans to reinforce multiple positions. The ethos of the club has shifted from selling key anchors to building partnerships. But offloading Gabriel would not be the end of a plan. It would be a shift in direction. Internal options or academy prospects provide cover but do not yet replicate his all-round impact.
Any such move would come from a position of strength. Arsenal would demand a large fee, knowing that they preserve tactical balance and that his absence would require restructuring rather than simple rotation.
Final Word
Gabriel is not loud in personality but loud in impact. He adds aggression, leadership, and aerial authority to Arsenal’s defensive engine. He forms a symbiotic pairing with Saliba that allows the team to press high and recover quickly. His absence or dip in form always creates imbalance. For a team aiming for titles across Europe his presence offers assurance in the most unpredictable of moments.
Importance to Arsenal’s Future Goals: 9 out of 10
Gabriel is not just a defensive starter. He is a cornerstone. His timing, bravery and leadership elevate Arsenal’s structure. Losing him would require significant adjustment. For now he remains one of the club’s most valuable and secure assets.