81 touches, 92.8% pass accuracy, four clearances – Arsenal 24-year-old a growing asset for Arteta

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Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes put in a great display for the Gunners against Norwich on Boxing Day.

Mikel Arteta’s charges made it five wins in a row in all competitions as they hammered the hosts 5-0.

Arsenal raced into a two-goal lead by half time, with Bukayo Saka opening the scoring after just six minutes.

The England international coolly stroked the ball past Angus Gunn to put Arteta’s side ahead early on.

Tierney then doubled Arsenal’s lead just before half-time, with Martin Odegaard assisting once again.

The Gunners then turned the screw in the second half and added a third in the 67th minute.

Saka cut inside Brandon Williams before firing home from the edge of the box.

In the 84th minute, Alexandre Lacazette converted a penalty he won after Ozan Kabak hauled him down in the box.

And on 90 minutes, Emile Smith Rowe scored off the bench for the second league outing in succession.

While Arsenal’s midfield and front-line were strutting their stuff, the Gunners back-line remained watertight.

And Gabriel once again shone, dealing with everything Norwich threw at him and dominating in the air.

“Steady if unambitious in possession,” wrote football.london.

“Led the backline well and his communication skills seem to be growing with each game.

“Defensively good as well although this is becoming standard for the Brazilian.”

Gabriel’s stats (Whoscored) were also impressive.

He took 81 touches of the ball and made 69 passes with a 92.8 percent accuracy.

The 24-year-old also won one aerial duel and made four clearances, two tackles and one interception.

Gabriel has been outstanding since his £27million move from Lille in 2020 and is certainly a key asset for Arteta.

And best of all, he’s nowhere near his prime yet – there’s still a lot to come from him.