SETTABLOID

Manchester United icon Gary Neville has hailed the impact of Gabriel Magalhaes after he scored Arsenal’s opener against West Ham in the Premier League.

Gabriel opened the floodgates at the London Stadium in the first half when his header at the near post beat Lukasz Fabianski in the home goal. The opener was the trademark of the Gunners in recent years as they have become experts at dead-ball routines.

Despite the Brazilian making such a goal his calling card in recent years, it did not stop Neville from hailing the player’s impact from build-up to execution. “That is just incredible,” he exclaimed on Sky Sports’ co-commentary.

“Gabriel, he has conducted that goal from start to finish. He went over to [Bukayo] Saka and stopped him midway from walking to the corner flag and started communicating with him then went and talked to the group.

And then went, more importantly, and headed it in the back of the net. The pace is on the cross, he just stoops down Gabriel and glances it home brilliantly.”

Arsenal’s superb half only escalated from there as Leandro Trossard, Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz all scored before the break to put the North London club in a commanding position. Mikel Arteta’s men did suffer a wobble shortly after making it 4-0 as Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Emerson Palmieri both scored to give the host’s hope before the break.

Arsenal secured a big three points on the road in the first of several London-exclusive matches this winter. In what will perhaps go down as one of the maddest of the season, the goals were flying in at the London Stadium.

The Gunners took the lead against West Ham through a headed goal from Gabriel Magalhaes. The Brazilian orchestrated the corner kick from Bukayo Saka perfectly, running to the near post and flicking the ball into the back of the net.

Saka was on hand to provide another assist after some beautiful passing with captain Martin Odegaard. The England international putting it on a plate for Leandro Trossard to tap in.

Then came a mental period with four goals, two-a-piece, first with Arsenal scoring through a Martin Odegaard penalty and Kai Havertz before Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Emerson replied two minutes later – the latter an excellent free-kick that perhaps shouldn’t have been given after Declan Rice was controversially adjudged to have given away a foul. Saka then restored a three-goal advantage from the penalty spot after Lukasz Fabianski caught Gabriel in the face from a corner.

David Raya: Beaten at his near-post by Wan-Bissaka, but the free-kick from Emerson was perfect and it would be harsh to criticise the Spaniard for it. Calm distribution helped Arsenal out when the pressure was mounting from the Hammers’ press. 6

Martin Keown proved himself to be one of the most formidable defenders in Premier League history during his time in north London.

During his time at Arsenal, the Englishman came up against some of the finest strikers to ever grace the English top flight.

Keown’s battles with Manchester United’s Ruud van Nistelrooy are there for all to see over the years with the Arsenal legend enjoying some huge moments.

Having won the Premier League three times, that would make him a fairly good judge of who is currently the most important player in the division.

Keown has spoken incredibly highly of the Arsenal captain with Martin Odegaard returning from injury recently.

And the former Arsenal defender has claimed there is no player more important to their side than Odegaard is to the Gunners.

“He’s created 102 chances – more than anyone in the Premier League – and 41 times he’s retrieved the ball in the final third so in and out of possession,” he said.

Timber made just two appearances for Arsenal last season following his unfortunate injury in the Premier League opener against Nottingham Forest.

However, the Dutchman has largely stayed injury-free so far this season and is showing the kind of form that elevates Arsenal another level.

In addition, Timber is also growing as an attacking force with each passing game in the team, grabbing an assist against Sporting CP in midweek.

With Ben White out through surgery, it’s great to see Timber step in and show his quality and versatility to make that right-back berth his own.

The player in question is Ayden Heaven, who has been a regular for Arsenal’s Under-21s and made his senior debut earlier this season.

The 18-year-old defender was pictured vying with Gabriel Jesus for the ball, with goalkeeper Neto also spotted in the mix.

Heaven was the only player still in the youth setup spotted in Arsenal’s latest photographs, with Ethan Nwaneri now firmly in the first-team picture.

Heaven is an 18-year-old footballer who plies his trade as a defender and midfielder for Arsenal and also represents England Under-19s at international level.

Born on 22 September 2006, Heaven joined the Hale End setup on 5 November 2019 and has moved up the ranks to reach the fringes of the first-team.

Meanwhile, Arsenal youth team expert Jeorge Bird said Heaven’s ‘overall performances are often of a very high standard.’

He added: ‘Heaven is composed in possession and reads the game very well, while he relishes bringing the ball out from the back when the opportunity arises.’

Arsenal will be aiming for a second-straight Premier League win when they face West Ham United at the London Stadium this evening.

The Gunners have been in superb form since the international break with victories against Nottingham Forest and Sporting CP in all competitions.

They are nine points adrift of league leaders Liverpool, but have the chance to reduce the deficit before the Reds host Manchester City on Sunday.

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Predicted Line-up:

David Raya has been an undisputed starter for the league and European games. The Spaniard is guaranteed to keep his place in goal. He will be eyeing back-to-back clean sheets in the top-flight for the first time since August.

Gabriel Magalhaes suffered a knock during the closing stages of the 5-1 win versus Sporting CP. Manager Mikel Arteta did not provide a clear update yesterday. However, we fully expect him to return to the XI for the London derby.

The Brazil international, who is close to signing a new long-term contract, should partner William Saliba in central defence with Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori occupying the right and left-back positions.

There could be a solitary change in the centre of the park with Thomas Partey making way for Mikel Merino. Partey has been in good form lately, but Arsenal need to be cautious over his injury record.