Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba have proved to be a formidable defensive partnership at Arsenal this season following the latter’s return from a successful loan spell at Marseille
Former Arsenal and Manchester United star Mikael Silvestre believes Gunners star Gabriel Magalhaes has improved drastically this season alongside William Saliba. Despite Gabriel’s strong form at club level he is yet to receive a call-up to the Brazil squad.
Speaking to bettingexpert.com, Silvestre has labelled Gabriel as an ‘old school’ defender that is annoying for strikers to play against. The ex-Arsenal defender said: “Gabriel is solid – he’s like an old school defender who focuses on 1v1s’ and holding the shirt of the attacker.
“He’s annoying for strikers to play against. He’s big and physical, he’s improved at reading the game.
“Step by step, he’s improving despite some errors but he’s very solid as a defender in the Premier League – you need those in the team, not just the pretty ones. Saliba and Gabriel are improving as a pair, they bring each other confidence.
“As a pair they are getting better and better together, especially with the title run in. It’s very positive for Arsenal to have both of them in good form.”
Silvestre admitted that Gabriel’s form for Arsenal should see him be rewarded with an international call-up to the Brazil squad, given that Chelsea star Thiago Silva is coming to the end of his career. The French icon added: “He [Gabriel] should be in the [Brazil] squad, especially with Thiago Silva ageing.”
“Eder Militao and Marquinhos are there but I think he should be called up soon. He’s a no nonsense defender and you need those sometimes.”