‘The weak link’: BBC pundit now thinks £27m Arsenal man could cost them games with his mistakes this season

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BBC pundit Nigel Reo-Coker believes that Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes is the weak link in the team.

Speaking on BBC 5 Live, Reo-Coker was discussing Arsenal’s fantastic start to the season.

The Gunners currently sit top of the table, and Mikel Arteta has elevated some of his young players to the highest levels they’ve ever reached.

Arteta has refused to rotate his Premier League side unless absolutely necessary, and has several ever-present players in his squad.

However, Reo-Coker believes that one of those players – Gabriel Magalhaes – is still a ‘liability’.

The Brazilian defender has the full backing of the club, and this week signed a new contract that keeps him at the club until 2027.

Gabriel said that he wanted to stay at the club for years to come, and Arsenal fans will be very glad to hear that.

However, Reo-Coker still thinks that Gabriel could be the weak link in Arsenal’s defence.

Gabriel is the weak link in Arsenal team – Reo-Coker

Reo-Coker was still unsure of Arsenal’s title credential when speaking on BBC 5 Live (23/10 12:15pm).

However, he did admit that the 24-year-old had played very well this season alongside William Saliba.

“I think Gabriel’s done fantastic this season, (as part of) the centre-back pairing of Gabriel and Saliba,” Reo-Coker said.

“I feel that Gabriel still is a liability for Arsenal and still is one of the defenders that you would say is the weak link in that Arsenal team, who will be probably responsible for one or two mistakes that could maybe cost them a game.”

Gabriel arrived at the Emirates from Lille for £27m in 2020 and immediately established himself in the first team.

Edu has admitted he’s been seriously impressed by how much Gabriel has improved since arriving at The Emirates.

Gabriel is the only Arsenal player to make an error leading to a goal, according to the league’s official statistics.

He gave the ball away to Fulham’s Aleksandar Mitrovic in a dangerous area and the Serbian striker made no mistake in front of goal.

The fan’s reaction to that error was incredibly positive though, showing how popular he is among Arsenal supporteres.

Reo-Coker appears to be trying to find ways to avoid saying Arsenal are a good team by saying he thinks Gabriel is the weak link.

The centre-back is one of the first names on Arteta’s team sheet and potentially on his way to the World Cup next month.