According to an article written by The Times about Arsenal center back Gabriel, the article believes that he is leading the team to the Premier League championship this season with dominance and leadership similar to that of a traditional British center back.
Gabriel has been crucial on both ends of the floor this season. On the defensive end, he partners with Saliba and is known for his hard work. Data shows that since the 2023-24 season, with Gabriel on the court, Arsenal have conceded fewer goals, kept more clean sheets, and averaged higher points per game. Offensively, he is a key weapon in set pieces.
Since joining in 2020, he is the only Premier League central defender with 20 goals or assists. Since the 2023-24 season, his number of header goals is second only to the three forwards and Gvardiol, and his number of corner kick goals is the first in the Premier League during the same period. Last week, he scored a goal against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.
Head coach Arteta speaks highly of Gabriel. Arteta praised him for his ability to dominate both penalty areas, defend like a world-class defender and attack like a world-class attacker. Gabriel himself said in pre-season that his leadership on the court has reached a very good level.
Still, Gabriel's future wasn't always easy. Arteta has never explained why he was left out of the starting lineup at the beginning of the 2023-24 season, and he made some mistakes last season.