‘Has been crucial’: Arteta says ‘superb’ 2020 Arsenal signing is a completely different player now

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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta heaped praise on Gabriel Magalhaes in his press conference ahead of the game against Leicester City this afternoon.

The Brazilian has been one of Arsenal’s best players this season. He missed the first few games due to a knee injury, but since he returned, the Gunners haven’t lost a single game in all competitions.

Gabriel is proving to be a sensational signing for Arsenal. He only cost the Gunners £23 million last year (BBC), less than a third of what Unai Emery paid for Nicholas Pepe in the summer of 2019.

Arteta was asked about Gabriel’s performances and the Gunners boss admitted that he has been crucial. He also revealed that since the Brazilian’s knee injury, he has been a completely different man.

Arteta: Gabriel is a different player now

The Arsenal boss said, as relayed by Hayters TV: “I think he has been crucial. He came back from a knee injury (due to which) he missed all the pre-season.

“But, he came (back) in a different way, he showed a different maturity, a different level of implication, his lifestyle has improved a lot, his language has improved a lot.

“Then, he has all the qualities to be a superb central defender and I’m really pleased with what he’s doing.”

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Gabriel came in from Lille at the start of last season and he hit the ground running. He was brilliant for them in the first half of the season, but illness in December halted his momentum.

He ended the season fairly well but Arsenal’s woes overshadowed his excellent first season in England.

Without him in the first three games of the campaign, Arsenal struggled. They looked lost at the back at times, but with Ben White and Gabriel paired together, their defence looks very solid and gives fans a lot to be optimistic about going forward.