Arsenal legend Gilberto Silva has defended Gabriel Magalhaes following the criticism he has heard about the Brazilian centre-back
Arsenal legend Gilberto Silva has come to the defence of Gabriel Magalhaes amid criticism the Brazilian has faced. Gabriel, who has been a key figure in Arsenal’s strong start to the season under Mikel Arteta, recently scored a decisive winner in the North London derby against Tottenham and came close to sealing a victory with a header against title rivals Manchester City.
Despite his contributions since joining from Lille in 2020, Gabriel has received some criticism, particularly when compared to his defensive partner, William Saliba. Some view him as the lesser of the two and have been quick to point out any mistakes the 26-year-old makes.
However, Gilberto Silva, who was a crucial part of Arsenal’s invincible 2003/04 season, has strongly dismissed these critiques, insisting that Gabriel is invaluable to both Arsenal and the Brazilian national team.
“He’s super respected within the group, at the club, and among the fans,” Gilberto said in an interview with MyBettingSites.co.uk. “Those who understand football can see how valuable he is to the team. He’s balanced defensively and has stood out in key moments.”
Gilberto emphasised that Gabriel’s performances are often undervalued in the media, particularly in England. “As a Brazilian player, if you perform well, you can become a media darling. But if you don’t meet expectations, you’re quickly underestimated,” Gilberto said. “I’ve experienced this myself, but Gabriel should focus on his game and not the outside noise.”
Gilberto also praised Gabriel’s partnership with Saliba, describing them as the best defensive duo in the Premier League. He believes the pair’s complementary qualities make them stand out among the league’s top defenders.
“In my opinion, they are the best duo in the Premier League,” Gilberto said. “They complement each other perfectly, with different strengths that make them a complete partnership. Their physical and technical abilities encompass everything a top defensive pairing needs.”
