Micah Richards has admitted he initially doubted Gabriel Magalhaes but has hailed the Arsenal defender as ‘an absolute machine’ following the Gunners’ 1-0 win over Crystal Palace.
Eberechi Eze’s first-half goal proved enough for Mikel Arteta’s side to secure a hard-fought victory at the Emirates on Sunday, with Gabriel once again delivering a flawless display against one of the Premier League’s in-form strikers.
Battling against Palace marksman Jean-Philippe Mateta, the 27-year-old defender remained calm and composed, making six clearances, one interception, blocking two shots and winning five of his eight aerial and ground duels.
Gabriel also threatened in a dead-ball situation, rattling the crossbar early in the second half from another set-piece and coming close to scoring his third goal of the season.
Micah Richards Lauds Arsenal’s Gabriel
Arsenal's Gabriel Magalhaes
Premier League - Fulham v Arsenal - Craven Cottage, London, Britain - October 18, 2025 Arsenal's Gabriel Magalhaes reacts REUTERS/David Klein
Richards, speaking on The Rest is Football, praised Gabriel as an ‘absolute machine’ following Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Crystal Palace and highlighted his importance on set pieces:
“I thought Palace did rather well in the first half, a few chances, but Arsenal just snuffed them out, don't they? They just know how to kill a game, that they're so good at it.
“Gabriel, what a player he is. And I wasn’t sure about him at the start. I though he made a few mistakes, looked a little bit clumsy, but now he’s just turned into an absolute machine.
“On set pieces, he’s so key.”
Gabriel has also been heavily praised by Jamie Carragher following Arsenal’s win on Sunday, with the Sky Sports pundit hailing the Brazilian as the Premier League's ‘most influential’ player.
Carragher also tipped the 27-year-old to be named PFA Player of the Year if Arsenal win the league, which would make Gabriel the first defender to claim the accolade since Virgil van Dijk in 2018/19.
Winning four games in a row, Arsenal are four points clear at the top of the Premier League table and next take on Brighton in the Carabao Cup fourth round on Wednesday.
Mikel Arteta’s side face Burnley away in the league next, where they will look to maintain their near-perfect defensive record, having conceded just three goals in nine games this season.
Arsenal have kept five consecutive clean sheets across all competitions and have not been breached in October, with their last goal conceded coming in the 2-1 victory over Newcastle on September 28.