Although Granit Xhaka (motm) has to shoulder some blame for his very bad touch, the penalty yesterday has to go down as yet another mistake for the Brazilian defender caused by his rashness.
The way Gabriel defends opens itself up for errors, but at times he just loses the plot completely. Both his reds at Arsenal have been for 2 bookings, with the second each time coming within 4 minutes of the first.
His passing and decision making on the ball is poor, and his errors have led to goals being conceded this season already, as well as seasons past.
Tomiyasu is available, but Arteta seems happy with White at RB (yesterday was arguably his best performance in that position for us) so I don't think it is likely Gabriel will be dropped.
Aside from that, yesterday was another very good performance from the team. Partey and Xhaka were excellent and deserved their goals. Saka and Martinelli caused a lot of problems, despite being doubled up on. And Saliba was again different class. Ramsdale made a crucial save from Richarlison, and Jesus probably should have scored more.
Spurs going to 8 at the back after the red meant the win was very comfortable in the end.
7 wins from 8 is a great start to the season. Only City have scored more than us, and only City and Everton have conceded fewer, highlighting a good all round performance from the team. Only a fifth into the season and a lot of challenges to come (especially with the World Cup), starting with Liverpool next week - not forgetting Bodo/Glimt on Thursday.
Gabriel Magalhaes
posted on 2/10/22
He's young for a CB. Needs to cut out the rashness, perhaps playing with a particularly calm guy like Saliba next to him might help long term
posted on 2/10/22
Or we could just accept he's a bit of a dope. It's not like he hasn't had these moments before this season.
I'm happy with him for now, but if he can't iron this out of his game it's going to be a big concern.
posted on 2/10/22
It was in the first place Xhaka's fault for their pen. Clear the ball and Gabriel wouldnt have made that foul. Easy.
He has made mistakes recently. I would still play him though.
Think as well that Saliba was MOTM. Rock solid, calm and didnt put a foot wrong.
Another good team performance. We had not a real bad player on the field. That is our strengths.
posted on 2/10/22
He's done fine, got us through a bad patch and now we're doing well people want to biatcch and moan.
We should have learned something by now
posted on 3/10/22
Been saying this for a while now, whilst I like Gabriel I'd be keen to see a pairing of White and Saliba. Healthy competition in every position of defence is a great problem to have though.
On the goal, for me its Partey's job to bring Son down as he is running through and take the yellow. Yes we had chance to clear the ball after this but it should never have gotten that far in the first place.
posted on 3/10/22
I've highlighted all of Gabriel's defensive mistakes before, but I'm willing to accept as a CB he is young and I hope he will learn, not everyone plays like Saliba does at a young age.
posted on 4/10/22
comment by IanWrightWrightWright (U12750)
posted 1 day, 8 hours ago
He's done fine, got us through a bad patch and now we're doing well people want to biatcch and moan.
We should have learned something by now
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Doing fine shouldn't be enough. We have a £50m CB at RB who can do more than fine, and a RB who has been solid for us.
Football clubs shouldn't stand still.
posted on 10/10/22
I think you were right to lay the blame at Gabriel's feet, it was more his mistake than Xhaka's. He does have a rash steak, must be a Brazilian defender thing. But with the back line succeeding - just - it's hard to see any major changes for now. Besides, all defenders have weaknesses. Vidic was one of the best centre halves in league history but he had some horrible games, usually against Torres.
I feel like he got away with one a little bit yesterday too. It was hit straight at him from close range, but he did have his arm up. Not really his fault though.
posted on 10/10/22
^Streak, not steak 🤦
posted on 10/10/22
Yeah, thought we were lucky with both penalty decisions.
Also thought Gabriel was at fault with their first yesterday.
Don't think he is terrible at all, but when you have an option like White, with Tomi available for RB it just makes sense to me to try it.