Martin Keown lauds Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes following Olympiakos win

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Former Arsenal stalwart, Martin Keown, was quick to sing the praises of Gunners defender Gabriel last night, calling the Brazilian a ‘proper player’.

Keown was speaking for BT Sport after seeing his former team run out 3-1 winners against Olympiakos in the Europa League.

A thunderbolt from Martin Odegaard, followed by goals from Gabriel and then Mo Elneny, were enough for Arsenal to comfortably see off their Greek opponents.

And Keown, who knows a thing or two about dominant at centre-half, was impressed with Gabriel and his commitment to the cause.

“Gabriel is a proper central defender. The power, the finish… this is a proper player,” Keown said.

“Olympiakos are sloppy defensively but it’s a hell of a leap from Gabriel. It’s a powerful header, he wants to take charge and makes things happen. That goal changed the tie.”

Gabriel has been a successful signing in the main since his arrival from Lille in the summer. Mikel Arteta opted to splash the cash on the young defender and so far, he hasn’t been let down.

Last night was one of his strongest displays in a Gunners shirt and Arteta will be hoping for much of the same from his man between now and the end of the campaign.

TBR View: Gabriel will only get better, last night showed his class

Gabriel is young in terms of central defenders ready to dominate games. But he showed he can it last night with a good, solid display against a difficult outfit.

In time, the Brazilian should prove to be one of Mikel Arteta’s shrewdest pieces of business and Arsenal will be hoping to see Gabriel really take a leading role between now and the end of the season.