Arsenal boasts one of the sturdiest defenses in the Premier League this year. Yet, every now and then, there’s a hint of fragility that creeps in, casting a shadow of doubt. Over the recent weekend, this vulnerability was on display, revealing that mistakes are still part of their game. Eamon Dunphy, delving into this on his podcast, zeroed in on one player who, in his view, falls short of the elite defender mark.
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Gabriel Magalhaes is the name on Dunphy’s lips. He doesn’t hold back in expressing his skepticism about Gabriel, tagging him as a defender who’s not just prone to errors but almost inviting them, especially in hypothetical scenarios like facing Darwin Nunez, who could have exploited these weaknesses further had he played.
“There are a number of problems at Arsenal… one of them is at the heart of their defense,” Dunphy reflects, pointing directly at Gabriel’s vulnerability. This sentiment isn’t just a fleeting thought; it’s a pronounced observation that if Nunez were in play, “he was made for him,” implying that Gabriel’s flaws could have been glaringly exposed.
Despite the fondness some may have for Gabriel, his journey is not without moments of uncertainty. Reflecting on the previous season, his performances seemed to dip notably in the absence of his defensive partner, William Saliba. Dunphy doesn’t shy away from acknowledging Gabriel’s talent but underscores a critical point: his tendency towards defensive missteps is a concern, casting fear over Arsenal’s otherwise commendable defense.
