That Arsenal player is better than Mbappe.”I constantly watch his skills before playing a match.” Real Madrid great Vinicious believes Arsenal has a guy that is better than Kelian Mbappe, revealing he routinely checks his skills before playing any match.

Mikel Arteta has long sought to establish Arsenal as the strongest defensive team in the Premier League, and that ambition has been realized. However, many questioned whether Arsenal had the depth to genuinely compete with Manchester City for the title. The prevailing view was that, unlike City, Arsenal lacked the ability to effectively replace their key players, which could undermine their chances.

As they prepared for the North London Derby against Tottenham, many expected Arsenal to aim for a draw due to the absence of important players like Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard. It was assumed that without these influential figures, Arsenal would struggle to compete and would instead focus on a defensive strategy.

Yet, Arsenal disproved those assumptions. While they did defend well during parts of the match, they were far from passive. They exhibited the same resilience and discipline seen in previous games, such as their win over Aston Villa, where they absorbed pressure and bided their time for the right opportunity to attack.

Gabriel Magalhaes was particularly vital to Arsenal’s success. Renowned for his defensive skills, Gabriel had a significant impact not only in defense but also offensively. He took advantage of a critical moment, scoring the winning goal from a corner delivered by Bukayo Saka. Tottenham’s goalkeeper, Guglielmo Vicario, was caught off guard, allowing Gabriel to head the ball into the net with assurance.

Gabriel’s performance underscored his growing significance to the squad. Signed for £27 million, he is now considered a bargain for Arsenal, with his defensive strength and ability to score crucial goals making him one of the team’s standout players. After the match, Gabriel shared his excitement on Instagram, posting, “What a Feeling!! Thank you GOD!!!” His post received responses from teammates at both the club and international levels, including center-back partner William Saliba and Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior.

Under Arteta’s guidance, Arsenal have cultivated a strong belief in their defensive abilities. The team understands that if they can keep a clean sheet, they often only need one goal to secure a win, even against top opponents. The North London Derby illustrated this perfectly, as Arsenal maintained their composure, absorbed pressure, and ultimately secured a vital victory to keep their Premier League title ambitions alive.
Mikel Arteta’s defensive focus for Arsenal has been pivotal in transforming them into genuine Premier League title contenders. Despite early concerns about squad depth compared to Manchester City, Arsenal’s performance in key fixtures, including the North London Derby against Tottenham, showcased their resilience.

With key players like Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard absent, many expected Arsenal to adopt a conservative approach. However, Arsenal maintained a solid defensive structure while remaining offensively proactive. Gabriel Magalhaes was instrumental, not just in defense but also by scoring the decisive goal from a Bukayo Saka corner. His commanding presence in both penalty areas highlights his growing importance to the team.

Arteta has instilled confidence in his players, emphasizing the significance of clean sheets and making the most of critical opportunities. The win against Tottenham was another example of Arsenal’s ability to combine discipline and opportunism, keeping them firmly in the race for the Premier League title.