Jamie Carragher has named Gabriel Maghalaes the most influential player in the Premier League and backed the Arsenal defender to win the PFA Player of the Year award.
Gabriel was a crucial part of Arsenal’s bid to reach the top of the Premier League. After nine games, the Gunners have conceded just three goals, only one of which came from open play.
The Brazil international was also a major threat at the other end. He scored a last-gasp winner at Newcastle United last month, in addition to opening the scoring in last week’s Champions League victory over Atletico Madrid.
Carragher believes Gabriel’s presence in both boxes makes him the most important player in the Premier League at the moment.
“It feels like set pieces are going to continue to be a big theme. There isn’t a team more ready to win the Premier League if this is the way the competition goes,” he said on Sky Sports’ Extra Time show.
“This Arsenal team is built to deal with these types of situations, in terms of the height of the team and their strength.
100 – Arsenal have gone 100 consecutive games in all competitions without conceding three goals in a single match. They are only the second English league team to ever achieve this feat, joining Man Utd between October 2016 and August 2018 (107). Security. pic.twitter.com/tZyWlBBRhg
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“I’ve said for a long time that Arteta is trying to win the league like Jose Mourinho’s team. There’s nothing wrong with that. The most important thing is winning.”
“Gabriel is the leader. He is a colossus at the back and the best threat in the set-piece. This happens every match. He is the best defender in a team that produces the best defensive numbers.”
“I think Gabriel is the most influential player in the Premier League at the moment.
“If Arsenal want to win the Premier League, he is on course to become the PFA Player of the Year. He is the No. 1 contender.”
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