One of Arteta's first and most successful signings has been Gabriel Magalhaes. The Brazilian international has been at the heart of our improvement, and his partnership with William Saliba is one of the best around.
However, we keep on being linked to left sided CBs - and ones who you would expect to start. These include Marc Guehi, Englands most impressive player at Euro24 so far, and Riccardo Calafiori - who impressed for Italy before missing the last 16 and watching Italy get dumped out.
A year ago Gabriel was linked to being sold to either Juventus or Saudi Arabia. He started the season on the bench, with Thomas Partey and Jurrien Timber being preferred in a back 4 that saw Ben White at CB. Even with Timbers injury it took a further couple of games before Gabriel return to the XI - with the transfer window shut. Once back in his "pashun" and "inyerface" defending blended superbly with the cool style of Saliba and led us having the best defensive record in the league.
Yet, once again, rumours are swirling about us looking for a LCB. With Timber back to fitness, there is a lot of competition already. Kiwior is rumoured to be leaving - but do you replace a back up with the sort of players being linked?
Jules Kounde is also being linked - very much in the mould of the sort of player Arteta likes. Has been impressing at right back for France but can also play CB.
Competition for places is good, but given his history, do we think Arteta is actively trying to replace Gabriel?
Does Arteta not rate Gabriel?
posted on 3/7/24
tbh i thought Kiwior did really well at LB during the 2nd part of the season when he replaced Zinny.
I'd keep him and look to sell Zinchenko.
posted on 4/7/24
Of course he rates Gabriel
posted on 4/7/24
So why did he bench him to play Tommy Partey at right back?
posted on 4/7/24
And now alledgedly buying a LCB for £45m??
posted on 4/7/24
I put that down to Arteta over tinkering, seeing if we could do the inverted fullback in the other side in games where we need a better 1on1 defender than zinchenko
&
Gabriel's head might have not been in the right place after the potential big money move to Saudi
I love big Gabby but a 120m offer for him would give us enough to replace him and have loads to spare elsewhere
posted on 4/7/24
Who is going to pay £120m for Gabriel?
posted on 4/7/24
Saudis
posted on 4/7/24
But it's just a figure I plucked out of the air as an amount we would find hard to turn down
posted on 4/7/24
For a defender? I think it would be very unusual because they don't have the profile. Maybe Saliba could reach the £100m mark.
Would you accept £75m? I do think Arteta has never been sure of Gabriel and his performances against Bayern had a bigger impact on him than anything else he did last season.
But I believe Calafiori is going to be playing left back. And that may have an impact on Ben White more.
posted on 4/7/24
Timber White Saliba Calafiori