Rio Ferdinand has heaped praise on Arsenal central defender Gabriel Magalhaes for his improvement this season.
Arsenal are in action once again on Monday evening, travelling to take on Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.
Few are expecting to see Arsenal slip-up and it’s quite difficult to imagine how Sheffield United could break the Gunners down.
Arsenal are so strong defensively and have conceded just 23 goals in 26 Premier League games so far this season.
Teams even struggle to create chances against Arsenal and whilst that is a team effort, Rio Ferdinand has picked out Gabriel Magalhaes for praise.
Rio Ferdinand on Gabriel Magalhaes
Speaking on FIVE, Ferdinand has suggested that both Gabriel and centre back partner William Saliba have been ‘outstanding’ this season.
Ferdinand picked out Gabriel for praise having annoyed the Arsenal defender at the end of last season.
The ex-Manchester United ace criticised Gabriel for his ‘rash’ defending and called on him to improve at the top level.
Gabriel was’t impressed and actually messaged Ferdinand to ask for an explanation about his comments.
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Ferdinand actually likes that Gabriel responded to him in person, believing that he showed some guts to talk it out.
Ferdinand added that Gabriel has now taken the words on board and is playing well this season, believing that he and Saliba have been the ‘real deal’ together.
“The two centre backs, I think, have been outstanding,” said Ferdinand. “To be fair, I called out Gabriel last season, at the back end of the run-in, because I thought he made a few rash decisions, penalties et cetera. I said at the time, if he doesn’t clear that up in his game, that’s gonna be something to be looked at.”
“He actually DM’d me after that, saying ‘why you talking about me’, he weren’t happy. I ain’t actually been able to see him personally and address it with him, but he’s obviously took note and it’s worked. I don’t mind that; he’s shown some b******s and gone ‘listen Rio, I looked up to you as a player, why are you talking like that, have you not made mistakes?’. I just said that you can’t make rash decisions like that at the top level, in these high pressure games.”
“I think it’s a fair comment. It’s fine him not being happy with that, but I like it that he came to me – I respect it. This season, I’m giving him his props, he deserves it. I’ve said it since they played Brentford away; these two look like the real deal together,” he added.
Ferdinand wasn’t alone in thinking that Gabriel was a little rash.
Many Arsenal supporters felt a similar way and the £27million defender even started this season out of the team.
Now a nailed-on starter, Gabriel has formed a superb partnership with Saliba and looks to be going from strength to strength this season.
If Arsenal do get over the line and clinch the Premier League title, then Saliba and Gabriel will have been absolutely vital to that success.
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