When it comes to set-pieces Arsenal are streets ahead of the rest of Europe.
In the past, teams that played beautiful football, as Arsenal do now, weren’t so concerned about set-plays. But Mikel Arteta’s side pride themselves on them.
When we look at the pairing of William Saliba and Gabriel, initially it was much easier to notice Saliba. But after the big goals he’s scored recently, we’re seeing Gabriel getting some credit for what he brings to this Arsenal team.
This is a man, remember, who didn’t start last season as Arteta’s first-choice partner for Saliba. But since then he seems to have sharpened his mind and now plays every game like it’s his last. He’s helping Arsenal to put teams to sleep from set-pieces. They treat each of them like a reconnaissance mission.
Set-piece coach Nicolas Jover has drilled these players to within an inch of their lives. Each player knows exactly what his role is, and they have reaped huge rewards for it over the last two seasons.
Arsenal’s centre-back pairing of Gabriel (left) and William Saliba (right) are a threat on both ends of the pitch
The Gunners set piece coach Nicolas Jover has drawn admirers for his systems that have perplexed Premier League defences
The Gunners used their set-piece wizardry to great effect in the North London derby win last month
It’s like they draw a curtain across the face of the opposition goalkeeper so they can’t see the ball.
Any deflection and it’s a goal, just like it was for Arsenal’s second against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday.
The delivery is key and in Bukayo Saka, Arsenal have a taker who is always bang on the money. Gabriel is then given the licence to attack the space created for him by his team-mates.
He is a magnet to the ball and that is a brilliant attribute. An extra string to his bow for someone who I believe is already the best one-on-one defender at the club.
Together with Saliba, they have formed the Thames Barrier in front of goalkeeper David Raya. They possess the same ‘over our dead bodies’ attitude that the great Arsenal defences I played in had, and that extends to full backs Jurrien Timber, Riccardo Calafiori and Ben White, too.
With the additions of Jurrien Timber (pictured) and Riccardo Calafiori, Arsenal’s already impressive defence has been further bolstered
They all seem to take great delight in blocking shots and keeping clean sheets.
Gabriel will find teams honing in on his threat from corners and trying to find a solution to stop him. But for now, the big Brazilian is relishing his work at both ends of the pitch.
