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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has heaped praise on Brazilian centre-back Gabriel following his side's 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Sunday, September 15. The North London derby at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was decided by Gabriel's 64th minute header.
Gabriel joined the club from LOSC Lille for €26 million in 2020 and has since made 171 appearances for the club. His partnership with William Saliba at the heart of Arsenal's defense has been an integral part of their title challenges in the last two seasons.
Talking about the 26-year-old defender's performance in the win over Tottenham, Mikel Arteta said (via football.london):
"The way he has evolved first as a person and then in his role in the club and the team has been phenomenal. It has been great to watch. This is why we are here, this is one of my passions to give players the environment, the support and coaching to grow, to prepare them for life and to get to levels they probably didn’t think [they could reach] before."
The Spanish tactician added:
"Gabriel is one of the best examples of that. Why? He loves what he does, he applies himself extremely well and he wants it. When that happens, good things happen to these kinds of people."
Arsenal next face Atalanta in the league phase of the expanded UEFA Champions League. Mikel Arteta's side will be keen to build on their impressive result and begin the tournament on a strong note.
Former Arsenal star hails 'special' Bukayo Saka
Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson heaped praise on "special" Bukayo Saka for his performance against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday. The 23-year-old was in impressive form for his boyhood club, bagging an assist that helped decide the North London derby.
Saka has played 230 times for the Premier League giants, scoring 59 goals and providing 57 assists to help the team win one FA Cup and two Community Shields.
Merson said on Sky Sports (via HITC):
"Absolutely, for a winger as well and he plays out on the wing. Amazing. He puts up figures. I don’t think he gets the credit he deserves, if I am being honest. I don’t know why (he doesn’t get the credit). He just does his job consistently every week. It’s like we take it for granted and that’s why I don’t think he gets the credit. We expect him to do what he does week in and week out."
The former Arsenal star added:
"His body movement (on constantly being able to cut in and shoot). He has a low centre of gravity. We know that he is going to go in there and come back in here. But he does it so well that if you just wait there, then he can go that way. If you go that way, then he is going to make you look very, very silly. A special player, who performs in week in and week out. He is always a seven out of ten. Seven or more. I am trying to think when he has been a five or six. He is consistently good."
Saka left the pitch after picking up a knock but will hope to return to action for the Gunners' clash against Atalanta on Thursday. He has bagged four assists and one goal from his opening four games for Arsenal this season.
