‘Really strong’: Martin Keown hails 23-year-old Arsenal outfielder’s display v Leicester

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Arsenal legend Martin Keown has waxed lyrical about the Gunners centre-backs’ display against Leicester, in particular Gabriel Magalhaes.

Amazing how quickly things can change in football over a couple of months, even weeks.

When the September international break arrived, Arsenal were in dire straits to say the least.

Three Premier League games played, three defeats, 10 goals conceded and not a single goal scored.

Fast-forward three months, and the Gunners are in the upper reaches of the table and in great form, boasting a nine-match unbeaten run in all competitions.

Obviously Aaron Ramsdale’s heroics in goal have played a big part, certainly against Leicester, but the back line deserves plenty of credit too.

Gabriel’s quality is well known, and now the 23-year-old has a superb centre-back partner in Ben White.

And on the flanks, Nuno Tavares is brilliant cover for Kieran Tierney, while Takehiro Tomiyasu has also been a superb buy.

On Saturday, Gabriel got Arsenal up and running with the opening goal, a glancing fifth-minute header from Bukayo Saka’s corner.

Emile Smith Rowe added a second on 18 minutes, and though Leicester tried hard, they couldn’t trouble the Gunners back line.

Keown, speaking on BT Sport (via The Express), had special praise for Arteta’s centre-back pairing.

“They’ve been involved in the success since that heavy defeat to Man City,” Keown said after the game.

“Gabriel, Ben White, forming a really good partnership – for me they’ve got everything.

“Gabriel, particularly, with balls in the box, the amount of times – I think he had the most clearances today. Really strong defensively.”