In the latest editions of the Premier League he Arsenal It is the only team that has been able to put at risk the triumphant monopoly of the Manchester City. Much of this success has come from shielding the team and reinforcing the most backward positions in the eleven. Mikel Arteta, since his arrival at the club in December 2019has opted for a game idea rather offensive and attractive to the viewer. However, the new ‘gunner’ project is being building from defensewith a couple of footballers who stand out in this aspect: William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes.
The growth of the team responds to the performance on the field of play of both players. And it is a couple that gets along wonderfully. Saliba takes on the role of leader in the rear axiswhile Magalhaes is the one who takes more risks when launching the ball. Such is the understanding between the two that even their own teammates are surprised: “I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a better central couple playing together,” he said. Ben White on Amazon Prime sports show. The English footballer, starter on the right side of Mikel Arteta’s team, highlighted the virtues of each player: “Saliba is absolutely incredible, I can’t say one thing.” weakness in your game. The way he’s playing, still being so young… It’s very strange to see. In training they don’t try to dribble it because they know they won’t be able to. They stop trying,” he said in the case of the Frenchman. On the other hand, he stressed the importance of Magalhaes for the team: “I think Saliba takes a lot of the spotlight, but he has been incredible. The threat that is in the area… It’s scary. Every time we have a corner we know he can score. It’s brutal to know that.” And Arsenal is the Premier League team that most goals scored from set pieceswith the Brazilian as his most lethal weapon in these actions (2 goals this season).
Despite everything, the process has not been a bed of roses for both footballers. In the case of Magalhaes, who arrived at the club in Lille’s 2020 seasonhis adaptation to English football was slow and costly, making many mistakes at the beginning, to the point that after his first season The fans already wanted him out of the Emirates. On the other hand, Arsenal signed Saliba from Saint-Etiennewhere he remained on loan for a season. After his arrival at Arsenal, the Frenchman did not convince Arteta and he left again on loan to A string to get some training and, later, he did the same in the Olympique de Marseillewhere he established himself as one of the greatest promises in the central position. It was from 2022 onwards that both players established themselves as the commanders of Arsenal’s defense. Last season (23-24), the team scored the fewest goals in the English league, conceding only 29 goals.
Fixed with their selections
On the other hand, their status as ‘fixed’ at Arsenal has allowed them, among other things, to settle in their respective teams: Saliba in France and Magalhaes in Brazil. In any case, this binomialalready consolidated in European football, is at the level of the best today, and facing this season, through their work from the defense, they will try to achieve the Premier League that has resisted them so much in the last two campaigns .
