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Gabriel Magalhães - bargain of the summer?
A thread:
A thread:
It is looking increasingly likely that Gabriel Magalhães will become an Arsenal player in the next few days for a reported fee of around £25m. This demonstrates excellent value considering the player's potential and experience at the highest level, despite still being only 22.
In this thread I will discuss:
- Gabriel's main attributes, how they improve our team and weaknesses he possesses.
- How Gabriel compares to other left footed CB's in world football.
- How he would fit into our team and his best partner.
- My personal opinion on signing him.
- Gabriel's main attributes, how they improve our team and weaknesses he possesses.
- How Gabriel compares to other left footed CB's in world football.
- How he would fit into our team and his best partner.
- My personal opinion on signing him.
1. GABRIEL'S MAIN ASSETS
One of Gabriel's strongest attributes is his aerial prowess. Standing at 6'3 tall, he wins 3.41 aerials p90 (89th percentile) with an aerial win percentage of 71.4% (84th percentile) behind only Mustafi (72.3%) from Arsenal's current defenders.
One of Gabriel's strongest attributes is his aerial prowess. Standing at 6'3 tall, he wins 3.41 aerials p90 (89th percentile) with an aerial win percentage of 71.4% (84th percentile) behind only Mustafi (72.3%) from Arsenal's current defenders.
Another strength in Gabriel's game is his excellent 1vs1 defending due to his impressive physicality. He tackles 59% of dribblers, putting him in the top 15% for Europe's top 5 leagues and ahead of any current Arsenal defender.
In modern football, the ability to play with the ball has become a highly sought after trait for a defender in top teams.
Gabriel's progressive numbers rank very respectably among Europe's top CB's and when combined put him in the top 20% for progressive distance in Europe.
Gabriel's progressive numbers rank very respectably among Europe's top CB's and when combined put him in the top 20% for progressive distance in Europe.
One weakness Gabriel possesses is his relatively low pass completion rate (84.9%). This could be explained by his high volume of final 1/3 passes (3.66 p90), however, his long pass completion is also low at 73.5%. Despite this, his ambitious passing is not necessarily a bad thing
Another slight weakness to Gabriel's game, as nicely highlighted by @JKFootb4ll, is his slight lack of spatial awareness. He can often be caught out due to a poor body shape or opponents on his blind side, however, at 22 these can be coached into him. https://breakingthelines.com/scouting-report/scouting-report-gabriel-magalhaes/
2. COMPARISONS
Firstly, two players Arsenal were linked with by the media. As you can see from the graphs, statistically Gabriel outperforms both Sarr and Torres by some distance, in particular in aerial battles, a clear weakness of Arsenal's current squad.
Firstly, two players Arsenal were linked with by the media. As you can see from the graphs, statistically Gabriel outperforms both Sarr and Torres by some distance, in particular in aerial battles, a clear weakness of Arsenal's current squad.
Next you can see how Gabriel compares to current left footed CB's in the Premier League. Despite being around £20m cheaper than Ake, Gabriel statistically performs better. Clearly Laporte is the superior player but this comparison shows just how good Gabriel is.
3. WHY HE FITS ARSENAL WELL
Under Mikel Arteta it looks like Arsenal will be playing with 2 main systems; 433 and 343. Gabriel's competent ball playing ability means he will easily meet Arteta's expectations of defenders playing out from the back, even when under pressure.
Under Mikel Arteta it looks like Arsenal will be playing with 2 main systems; 433 and 343. Gabriel's competent ball playing ability means he will easily meet Arteta's expectations of defenders playing out from the back, even when under pressure.
Gabriel also looks an excellent long term partner for Saliba, an average age of just 21.5 year old between them means they could solve our defensive issues for some time. 6'3 and 6'4 respectively and statistically seem to complement each others play style excellently.
4. MY TAKE
Overall I think Gabriel would be an excellent signing. He offers brilliant value for money at just £25m, already has Champions League experience and has huge potential, particularly considering his physical attributes, meaning current weaknesses can be coached.
Overall I think Gabriel would be an excellent signing. He offers brilliant value for money at just £25m, already has Champions League experience and has huge potential, particularly considering his physical attributes, meaning current weaknesses can be coached.
I genuinely believe that if Gabriel and Saliba both reach their potential, we will have a CB partnership of Premier League winning quality. I don't want to see the deal delayed any longer, lets get it done.
END OF THREAD.
END OF THREAD.
Likes and retweets massively appreciated and drop a follow if you enjoyed the content. Big shoutout to @JKFootb4ll for his article, drop him a follow.
Sources used: FBRef, FootballSlices, Breakingthelines & StatsBomb.
Sources used: FBRef, FootballSlices, Breakingthelines & StatsBomb.
