Arsenal are top of the Premier League and dream of eventually winning the title under manager Mikel Arteta, but one player who has been particularly impressive is former defender Mika Richards.
Gabriel Magalhães has transformed from an “awkward” Arsenal signing into an “absolute machine” leading the Gunners’ title challenge, according to Micah Richards. The former Manchester City defender has admitted that he liked the Brazilian player during their time in the Premier League.
Gabriel formed a dominant partnership with William Saliba in a stingy Arsenal defence, and also proved to be a threat from set-pieces for the north London side. Arsenal are using those qualities to get results and are leading the Premier League this season.
The former Lille star has become a key player under manager Mikel Arteta and helped Arsenal keep their sixth clean sheet of the season against Crystal Palace. Eberechi Eze’s goal was enough to pull away the Emirates team.
And former Premier League winner Richards believes Arsenal are likely to break their 21-year run this season. The former England international believes Gabriel will be key to Liverpool’s chances of winning the title.
Appearing on The Rest is Football podcast, Richards said: “That game (Arsenal’s win against Crystal Palace) wasn’t a classic, right?
read more: Just one Premier League game on Boxing Day thanks to Sky Sports and TNT Sportread more: Jeff Stelling forced to suspend game against Arsenal, Mikel Arteta back in action
“I thought Palace did pretty well in the first half and created some chances, but Arsenal know how to snuff it out and finish games off, they’re very good at that.
“Gabriel, what a great player he is. At first I wasn’t sure about him, he made some mistakes and I thought he looked a little clumsy.
“But now he’s become an absolute machine. For or against, he’s very important from set-pieces. People are calling Arsenal set-pieces FC, but that doesn’t matter. We win games the way we need to win them. That’s the most important thing.”
“Arsenal are finding ways to win games and that’s why they have a strong case to win the Premier League.
“I never believed in Liverpool’s team or their transfer window, but now when you look at Arsenal, they don’t give teams chances, they just don’t give them chances. They look like a well-oiled machine.”
Arsenal are at the top of the Premier League with just three goals conceded after nine games, with a four-point difference over second-placed Bournemouth. Manchester City and Liverpool are six and seven points behind, respectively.
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