Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes has expressed admiration for his defensive partner William Saliba, highlighting their crucial roles in Arsenal’s ongoing Premier League title pursuit.
Gabriel stressed the significance of shared communication between defensive partners. Despite being Brazilian himself, the 26-year-old has mastered French during his tenure at Lille in Ligue 1 from 2017 to 2020.
Gabriel also acknowledged the influence of William Saliba’s style of play, noting the continuous learning experience he gains from their partnership at Arsenal over the past two seasons.
In an interview with The Telegraph (via TBRFootball), Gabriel Magalhaes stated:
“Mostly we speak French. I spent a lot of time in France with Lille so it’s easier if we communicate in French. He is an amazing player. I learn a lot from him every day. When we need to be serious about things, we are.”
Since William Saliba emerged as a regular starter for Arsenal last season, he and Gabriel Magalhaes have formed a formidable defensive duo. Together, they have featured in 60 matches for Arsenal, boasting an average of 2.13 points per game.
In the current season, the pair have appeared together 29 times, contributing to 10 clean sheets. Their partnership played a pivotal role in Arsenal’s triumph in the FA Community Shield earlier in the season, securing victory over Manchester City in a penalty shootout.
With both William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes aged 26 and 22 respectively, they could anchor Arsenal’s defense for years to come. Both players have three years remaining on their contracts, indicating their potential long-term commitment to the club until the summer of 2027.
