£27m Arsenal star hailed as ‘one of the best in the world’ after Atletico Madrid win

Gabriel Magalhaes has been hailed as ‘one of the best centre-backs in the world’ after his heroics in Arsenal’s Champions League victory over Atletico Madrid.

The Brazilian defender scored his side’s opener and made the assist for the fourth goal as Arsenal brushed aside Atletico at the Emirates Stadium.

Gabriel has become an unlikely source of goals for an Arsenal side that have almost perfected set-piece routines, scoring seven times since the start of last season.

While his threat in the final third is a welcome bonus, Gabriel’s main job is to keep goals out at the other end and he is also doing that with aplomb in an Arsenal team that have not conceded in their last four games.

Mikel Arteta’s side have in fact conceded just three goals in 12 games so far this season and Gabriel is integral to that defensive solidity.

Arsenal only spent £27m to sign Gabriel from Lille in 2020 but he is now ‘one of the best centre-backs in the world’, according to ex-Premier League midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker.

‘For me, Arsenal have taken it to another level this season,’ the former West Ham and Aston Villa star said on CBS Sports after the Gunners thrashed Atletico Madrid 4-0 in the Champions League.

‘They look really hard to beat, they’re well organised, there’s real strength in depth now so there’s no excuses anymore, they have everything they need.

‘They have the weapons to win top trophies, it’s in their hands. They’ve even taken the defence to a new level and they’re just so hard to beat.

‘We need to have a conversation about Gabriel and ask if he is now one of the best centre-backs in the world? I think so.

‘Look at the role he plays in the final third. What I love about him is he’s got so much desire to get to the ball, whether that be at the back or when he goes up.

‘The two centre-backs pride themselves on keeping clean sheets and are willing to defend all day long. Arsenal might have the best defence in European football as of right now.’

Gabriel has made 222 appearances for Arsenal, many alongside centre-back partner William Saliba, who has also received many plaudits over the past two years.

Speaking after Arsenal’s emphatic victory over Atletico Madrid, Arteta said: ‘I’m extremely happy and proud of the performance and the results against a really good side.

‘I was very impressed when I analysed them and what I’ve seen today about them as well. So, I knew about the difficulty of it.

‘It required a lot of aggression and a lot of patience as well, and the way they managed the context of the game and the way they can manipulate their behaviour was really impressive.

‘With it being 0-0 at half-time, even though we generated two or three big chances, we had to stay patient, but at the same time, increase a little bit, set some areas to damage them more.

‘We’ve done it, and then in this Champions League, I think we were very effective as well.’

On Gyokeres, who ended a run of nine games without a goal with a brace against Atletico, Arteta added: ‘I’m delighted as he fully deserved it.

‘The work-rate he brings to the team is outstanding. We value a lot of things that he does for the team and it was the biggest smile on his face today and look at his team-mates.

‘Hopefully this is the start of some beautiful sequences for him.’

Arsenal, currently three points clear at the top of the Premier League, return to domestic action this weekend against London rivals Crystal Palace.

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