Arsenal supporters greeted Gabriel Magalhaes as the best center-back in world football after he had delivered a competition-winning performance in Newcastle on Sunday.
The Brazilian defender went home his 21st Gunners goal in the 95th minute to complete a 2-1 victory and a dramatic comeback in St James’ park.
Arsenal had been behind since the 34th minute when Nick Wolade Newcastle nodded in front, despite complaints from Arsenal that he had polluted Gabriel in the structure.
That incident led to a heated confrontation between Gabriel and Woltemade – and it was ultimately the Arsenal man who had the last smile.
Mikel Merino equalized for 84 minutes, on his way of a Declan Rice Cross to score against his former club. Gabriel’s winning goal came from a Martin Odegaard -Hoek.
Gabriel Magalhaes statistics versus Newcastle
It was not only his goal that Gabriel made the striking candidate for the player of the Match Award on Sunday.
No other player on the field made more tackles (three), intercepts (three) or clearance (11) than Gabriel. He also blocked two shots.
Arsenal fans go Gabriel as the best center-back in the world
The most valuable center-back in world football was recently demonstrated as William Saliba, after his new Arsenal contract increased his estimated transfer value to a whopping £ 105 million.
Teammate Gabriel was fifth on the list, with a value of £ 75 million. After Sunday’s game, however, social media were full of supporters of Gunners who proclaimed the 27-year-old as the NO 1 player in his position on the planet at the moment.
One tweet was: “Gabriel has settled as the best center back in world football!”
Another supporter added: “The best CB in the world … literally at no. 1”.
A tweet from an Arsenal fan, who calls Gabriel the “best CB in the world” after Sunday’s 2-1 victory in Newcastle
A third fan wrote: “Gabriel Maghalaes is in my opinion the best CB in the world. I am not even covered”.
Gunners -Fan no. 4 tweet: “Gabriel is currently the best CB in the world. Scores so many goals and 1v1 is a monster”.
A fifth message claimed that Gabriel Arsenal had inspired the victory despite “corruption”, which apparently referred to several VAR reviews that went to the advantage of Newcastle. It said: “We are beating corruption. Gabriel is the best CB in the world”.
Mikel Arteta convinced Arsenal “completely earned the victory”
Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta was also not impressed by some of the VAR decisions on Sunday, in particular an incident in the first half in which referee Gillett Point to the place for an error by Nick Pope on Viktor Gyokees, only to be advised to turn his decision.
Arteta reflected in an interview after the game with Sky Sports: “Well, I looked back and viewed it live. And if it is not a clear and obvious mistake, VAR should not intervene.
“We have been told for a few years, this style of decision again, and it is very clear to me that it does not have to intervene because it is a fine.”
Arteta added: “We deserved the victory completely. The way we played, as we competed. We fully deserved the victory.
“The opportunities we have generated. I think we deserved it completely to win the game. We did it in a dramatic way, but so happy and so proud of the team.”
Arsenal benefits from the loss of Liverpool in Crystal Palace
The victory of Arsenal in Newcastle came little more than 24 hours after the Premier League title Rivals Liverpool had lost 2-1 in Crystal Palace, who are now the only English top-flight team that still has to be defeated this season.
The Gunners are now in second place in the table, only two points under the red of Arne Slot.
Discussing the title race on Sunday evening, Sky Sports Pundit Jamie Redknapp said: “At the moment we recommend Arsenal right in the mix. Everyone who doubts it is completely wrong.”
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