football | Tuesday, March 14, 2023 3:49 PM

Silvestre: You Need Solid Defenders Like Gabriel Magalhães

Devang Prasad

Arsenal continued their run at the top of the Premier League with a 3-0 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage. The win also helped manager Mikel Arteta reach a century of wins, in just 167 games in charge.

The Fulham win saw the Gunners get their 12th clean sheet in the league this season and the defensive unit, deservedly, has earned plaudits.

To discuss Arsenal’s defensive prowess and specifically, the centre-back duo of Gabriel Magalhães and William Saliba, we talked to ex-Arsenal and Man Utd defender, Mikael Silvestre.

In this article:

You need old-school defenders like Gabriel Magalhães in your team
Gabriel and Saliba bring each other confidence
Gabriel Magalhães should have been called up for Brazil
Tomiyasu has done well as a left-back despite being right-footed

You need old-school defenders like Gabriel Magalhães in your team

The former French international was all praise for Gabriel Magalhães, calling him an old-school CB who is an annoying proposition for opposing forwards.

“Gabriel is solid. He’s like an old school defender who focuses on 1v1s’ and holding the shirt of the attacker. He’s annoying for strikers to play against.”

“He’s big and physical. He’s improved at reading the game.”

Silvestre also mentioned that he has seen Gabriel make strides in improving his reading of the game and that teams need old-school defenders like him.

“Step by step he’s improving despite some errors. He’s very solid as a defender in the Premier League.”

“You need those in the team. Not just the pretty ones.”

Gabriel and Saliba bring each other confidence

Continuing on Gabriel, Silvestre also spoke how he and William Saliba work well as a pairing because they give confidence to each other.

As per the five-time Premier League champion, both of them being in good form is very positive for Arsenal in the title run-in.

“Saliba and Gabriel are improving as a pair. They bring each other confidence.”

“As a pair they are getting better and better together. Especially with the title run in.”

“It’s very positive for Arsenal to have both of them in good form.”

London, England, 6th November 2022. Gabriel of Arsenal celebrate scoring the opening goal during the Premier League match at Stamford Bridge, London. Picture credit should read: Paul Terry / Sportimage

Sportimage / Alamy Stock Photo

Gabriel Magalhães should have been called up for Brazil

Despite his good form for the Premier League leaders, Gabriel wasn’t picked for Brazil’s squad and Silvestre expressed his sentiments on that.

He said that Gabriel should have been in the selecao as Thiago Silva isn’t getting any younger.

“He should be in the squad. Especially with Thiago Silva ageing.”

“Eder Militao and Marquinhos are there but I think he should be called up soon.”

“He’s a no nonsense defender and you need those sometimes. Not just the pretty ones.”

Tomiyasu has done well as a left-back despite being right-footed

Japan international Takehiro Tomiyasu has slotted across all defensive positions for the Gunners this season.

With the superb form of Gabriel, Saliba, Ben White and Oleksandr Zinchenko, it has been hard for Tomiyasu to cement his position.

Silvestre believes that when you’re playing for a top team like Arsenal, you have to slot in wherever needed. He also praised Tomiyasu for doing well when called upon, especially as a left-back considering he’s right-footed.

“When you have the opportunity to play for Arsenal who are top of the league there are no preferences.”

“For a right footed player he has done very well as a left-back.”

“A lot of wingers cut inside on their stronger foot so when you defend on your opposite foot it makes sense that he’s confident going into tackles and interceptions.”