Brazilian media say what they think of Arsenal defender Gabriel’s performance after 1-1 draw with Uruguay

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Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes started at the back for Brazil as they played out a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Uruguay at home.

Federico Valverde scored for the away side in the second half, but Gerson restored parity moments later to ensure the Selecao finished 2024 by avoiding defeat.

Brazil’s previous game during the ongoing international break also ended 1-1, which is a sign that things aren’t going as planned under Dorival Jr.

The Arsenal defender, however, earned plaudits for his performance after what turned out to be a valuable point in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes shows his class vs Uruguay

Gabriel was rated 6/10 for his performance against Venezuela as the Brazilian media noted that he isn’t as adventurous for the national team as he is for Arsenal.

After the game against Uruguay, though, the towering defender was praised for his ability on both ends of the pitch as he emerged as one of Brazil’s standout players on the night.

Globo rated his performance 6.5/10, saying: “One of the best players in the first half. He was directly responsible for Brazil’s offensive play, whether it was carrying the ball or risking long passes.

“Defensively, he fulfilled his role in a sector that was exposed in the second half.”

Gabriel’s stats vs Uruguay

• 114 touches
• 95/99 passes completed (96% pass completion rate)
• 8/11 duels won
• 6/9 long passes completed
• 2 blocks, clearances and tackles apiece
• 1 key pass

Gabriel’s underlying numbers clearly show he was at the top of the game for Brazil as he continues to grow in stature.

Ben White believes Gabriel is still underrated, but the wider audience is slowly beginning to take note of his consistent displays for club and country since his £27m move to the club in 2020.

His form will be crucial for Arsenal if they are to overturn the nine-point deficit between themselves and Liverpool to win the Premier League title.