Gabriel Magalhaes did something vs Coventry City that nobody in Arsenal's 140-year history has done before
Gabriel Magalhaes was far from being Arsenal’s best player against Coventry City.
The Gunners were comfortable from start to finish at the Emirates Stadium and were under no real threat throughout the game.
Gabriel did what he had to do for the most part, but there were several other players who were a lot better than he was.
However, the Brazilian still managed to make Arsenal history.
Gabriel Magalhaes breaks Ashley Cole’s opening day Arsenal record
Gabriel Magalhaes has just started his seventh season at Arsenal.
The Gunners signed the Brazil international from Lille in the summer of 2020, and since then, he has played six opening day fixtures in the Premier League.
The only time he missed the first game of the season was the 2-0 defeat to Brentford in 2021/22 due to a knee injury.
In the six other opening day fixtures, Gabriel has ended up on the winning side on every single occasion.
He started off by helping Arsenal beat Fulham in 2020, and has since contributed to victories against Crystal Palace, Nottingham Forest, Wolves, Manchester United and now Coventry City.
That is a new record, as no Arsenal player in their 140-year history has managed to record a 100 per cent win rate in more games on the opening day of the new season.
Gabriel has now gone six wins in six, beating Ashley Cole’s record of five wins in five over two decades ago (Harvey Downes on X).
That is really impressive, and long may it continue.
Arsenal need Gabriel Magalhaes’ leadership in defence now more than ever
Gabriel has helped Arsenal keep two clean sheets in two games against Manchester City in the Community Shield and Coventry now in the Premier League.
The former Lille man was very good in Cardiff last weekend, but he wasn’t at his absolute best in the game against Frank Lampard’s side. He didn’t really have to be either.
However, in William Saliba’s absence, Arsenal need Gabriel to be at his usual level more often than not to maintain the Gunners’ brilliance at the back.
His leadership at the back will be even more important as he needs to help Cristhian Mosquera, or whoever plays next to him, to be on the same level as well.
We’re confident that will happen in the coming weeks.
