Darren Bent picks the better Arsenal defender this season between William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes

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Arsenal have one of the best central defensive partnerships in world football as William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes continue to marshal their backline with aplomb.

The pair have played together since the start of the 2022-23 campaign and have been involved in two close Premier League title chases, although they eventually out to Manchester City on both occasions.

Saliba and Gabriel complement each other perfectly and helped Arsenal keep a league-high 18 clean sheets last season while also conceding fewer goals than any other team (29).

Both of them have begun the current campaign in fantastic form, but Darren Bent believes Gabriel has had a better season than Saliba so far.

Darren Bent picks Arsenal’s Gabriel Magalhaes over William Saliba

The Arsenal defender scored important goals against Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City earlier this season, which is a facet of his gameplay that has proved to be invaluable for Arsenal.

Bent pinpointed Gabriel’s prowess in set pieces as a defining factor in selecting him over Saliba, who has had a fantastic season in his own right.

“Two centre-halves. Virgil van Dijk, they have conceded two goals all year, and I have gone Gabriel,” said Bent on talkSPORT as he included the Brazilian in his Team of the Season so far.

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“And the reason why I have gone Gabriel over Saliba is because set plays and the goals, set plays and the goals.”

What does the future hold for Gabriel Magalhaes?

Gabriel is tied down at the club until 2027 and is undoubtedly one of Arsenal’s biggest assets.

At the age of 26, he has his prime well ahead of him and is a key player for club and country, having also cemented his place in the Brazil squad under Dorival Jr.

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Fabrizio Romano revealed last month that Arsenal want to renew Gabriel’s contract, which is a huge show of faith as he’s already got three years left on his current deal.

He has begun the season in flying form and will look to keep going as Arsenal aim to get their hands on the Premier League trophy.