He’s having one hell of a season.
No it wasn’t!
He’s been our best defensive player this season. Leading the line, a monster in the back. He had a habit of causing errors but he has definitely improved on that aspect.
I would love to know the real details from the start of the season when he was dropped.
Was it purely tactical or did Arteta punish him for having his head potentially turned by a move to Saudi?
Regardless I’m so so glad he was integrated back into the team.
I really don’t think it’s hyperbole to suggest that him and Saliba are the best CB duo in the league and one of the best in the world.
The best part is they’re both so youthful.
I don’t we’ll ever know the exact unless he or Arteta specifically talk about it.
I will say he did look shakey in preseason.
Arteta has talked a couple of times about how Gabriel has changed. Here’s one recently(6:30):
From my POV, the biggest difference on the field is just how composed he looks now. Dare I say, this season he’s looked even more composed than Saliba. To me this has got him to a whole new level as a player.
People will laugh at whole “aura” thing but his aura is different now, he feels like a genuine leader in the team.
You could see him today organising the defence, instructing players where to pass, telling people to calm down, etc.
His growth since coming in 2020 is genuinely tremendous.
Think Gabriel is easily my favourite player at this club. Immense! Don’t think we’ve had a CB has good as him since Sol Campbell.
That header he scored the other week where he absolutely flattened the defender was majestic
Underrated, even among our own fans.
I think that’s because he does things with minimum fuss. And he doesn’t do anything fancy, like Saliba. And Saliba is the flashy new (relatively) toy when compared to Gabriel, but if you notice, we don’t talk as much about Saliba this season as we did last season.
Him or Declan Rice for player of the season so far.
@sevchenko Where do you stand now on Gabriel?
Key player for sure and playing at a high level. Individual and amazing team defensive metrics don’t lie, he is a big reason for that.
His partnership with Saliba and general dependability in duels with top strikers have been life changing for the 11. Saliba, White and Gab have all cut a lot of unforced errors out of their game. The coach’s system suits them very well.
I player I consider untouchable
More tests to come though, for the entire team.
Gabriel is player of the season for me. But it will undoubtedly go to one of Rice, Saka or Odegaard.
Rice cause he’s new and British. Saka cause he’s Star Boy. And Odegaard cause he’s captain.
But Gabriel has been more instrumental than all of them for me. Best CB we’ve had since Sol Campbell.
If he wins a title for us, he instantly goes into WC territory for me.
https://twitter.com/dacodac/status/1766587278699184213?t=S79lkbCOlBaOlah5y2-BJg&s=19
Monsters. Terminators
https://twitter.com/LatteFirm/status/1766917260122226734
They really all hate Holding.
Plus, they have been completely injury free this season. Has one of them even missed one game this season?
( maybe I shouldn’t have said that)
You twat.
Ngl, I had a mini heart attack when Gabriel fell to the ground against Brentford.
Funny hearing Gabriel speak French. Of course he played in Ligue 1, but i had not idea they communicated in French with each other.