{"id":11286,"date":"2025-10-23T06:25:30","date_gmt":"2025-10-23T06:25:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2025\/10\/23\/gabriel-has-become-an-invaluable-leader-in-arsenals-double-act-chasing-records-and-trophies\/"},"modified":"2025-10-23T06:25:30","modified_gmt":"2025-10-23T06:25:30","slug":"gabriel-has-become-an-invaluable-leader-in-arsenals-double-act-chasing-records-and-trophies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2025\/10\/23\/gabriel-has-become-an-invaluable-leader-in-arsenals-double-act-chasing-records-and-trophies\/","title":{"rendered":"Gabriel has become an invaluable leader in Arsenal’s double act chasing records and trophies."},"content":{"rendered":"
\n<\/p>\n
\n
Gabriel has scored 22 goals in all competitions for Arsenal since the start of the 2020\/21 season, cementing his status as one of Europe’s most valuable defenders.<\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n
\n
October 22, 2025, 16:59<\/span>Updated October 22, 2025 17:00<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Andy Dunn is the Mirror’s chief sportswriter. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n<\/figure>\n<\/div><\/span>Gabriel scored Arsenal’s first goal, leading them to a comfortable victory over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.<\/span>(Image: Associated Press)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n
Although an old idea, it’s hard to argue with the idea that a good central defensive partnership is the foundation on which all great teams are built. Sir Alex Ferguson, who famously said, “You win games with attack and you win titles with defense,” would no doubt agree.<\/p>\n
There must be exceptions to that rule. Most of them are probably coached by manager Josep Guardiola, whose defensive philosophy is usually attacking. But top-notch defense underpins most success, and of course a dominant central unit is essential to that. In the Premier League era, the most effective combinations have probably been Steve Bruce and Gary Pallister, John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho, and Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic.<\/p>\n
William Saliba and Gabriel are knocking on the cartel’s door with the very important caveat that they need to win the Premier League or the Champions League. Chelsea’s 2004\/05 defense, which featured a partnership between Terry and Carvalho for much of the season, conceded a Premier League record 15 goals.<\/p>\n
read more: Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya was bullish on winning the trophy after Atletico Madrid’s win<\/span><\/span>read more: Jamie Carragher on Arsenal’s biggest advantage in title race: ‘I’ve never seen anything like it’<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
This works out to 0.394 goals per game. Arsenal are currently conceding 0.375 goals per game in the Premier League this season.<\/p>\n
They take very few shots on target, never mind the actual goals. It’s safe to say that Saliba and Gabriel have a lot to do with it.<\/p>\n
Two of the three goals Arsenal have conceded in the Premier League this season have come when this pairing has not been working well. Saliba was off the field for a long time when Dominik Szoboszlai scored Liverpool’s winning goal, but he appeared on the pitch at St. James’ Park when Arsenal equalized with a goal from Nick Woltemaid.<\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n<\/figure>\n<\/div><\/span>William Saliba was the first to congratulate Gabriel after his partner scored Arsenal’s winning goal against Newcastle earlier this season<\/span>(Image: Arsenal FC, via Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Like all combinations, Saliba and Gabriel complement each other perfectly. For example, the Frenchman came to the Brazilian’s aid on Tuesday night in a rare moment when Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez caused trouble.<\/p>\n
But apart from Erling Haaland, it’s hard to think of anyone more important to Arsenal’s Premier League side than Gabriel. That applies both domestically and in Europe.<\/p>\n
Gabriel is dominant in his own penalty area, and his threat in the opposition box is well proven. His goal against Atl\u00e9tico was his 22nd in all competitions since the start of the 2020-21 season, the most by a centre-half for any team in Europe’s top five competitions.<\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n<\/figure>\n<\/div><\/span>Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic are often said to have the best central defensive partnership in Premier League history<\/span>(Image: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
If you’re interested in Fantasy Premier League, Gabriel is at the top of the defensive ranks. Gabriel, 27, was the subject of strong interest from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2024, but Arsenal had no such interest and his contract runs until the summer of 2029.<\/p>\n
For some time, Saliba was seen as a key figure in Arsenal’s defence. Now, this double act is receiving justifiable praise.<\/p>\n
And at the moment, there is no centre-half as attacking, as dominant in the air, as skilled as Gabriel. He is truly precious.<\/p>\n
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive Mirror Football content every day. Community members also receive special offers, promotions, and advertisements from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check it out whenever you like. If you are interested, please read our privacy notice.<\/p>\n
\n
\n
Sky Sports Premier League and EFL package discounts<\/p>\n
\n
This article contains affiliate links and we receive a commission from any sales we generate from them. learn more<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n
\n
\u00a349<\/p>\n
\u00a335<\/p>\n
sky<\/p>\n
Get the deal here<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
Sky has reduced the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025\/26 season, saving members \u00a3336 on their bill and offering more than 1,400 live matches from Premier League, EFL and more.<\/p>\n
Sky will broadcast at least 215 live Premier League matches next season, with an increase of up to 100 more.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
![\"Andy](\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article2205697.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s338a\/andy_dunn.png\")
<\/p>\n![\"Gabriel](\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36110592.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615\/0_APTOPIX-Britain-Soccer-Champions-League-25294732100303.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>![\"Gabriel](\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36007209.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_Newcastle-United-v-Arsenal-Premier-League.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>![\"Rio](\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article31009176.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_Manchester-United-v-Sunderland-Premier-League.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>![\"content](\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article33404045.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s510b\/0_Sky-Factbox.jpg\")
<\/div>\n