Saliba vs Gabriel row: Do Arsenal pair like each other?

Suraj Radia

• 28 Feb 2023 10:42 CST
• 2 min read

Eyebrows were raised when Arsenal centre-back partners William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes appeared to have a heated exchange after the final whistle in the Gunners’ 1-0 win over Leicester.

While the team were celebrating securing three points which extended their lead at the top of the table, Gabriel appeared to show his frustration towards Saliba, leading to the Frenchman shoving his teammate away.

Although the incident may have caused concerns to some, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta insisted there were no issues between his defensive duo and encouraged his players to show passion even when winning.

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“They are a happy marriage,” said Arteta. “They love playing with each other but they are really demanding with each other which is good. Everything is fine.

“I don’t want robots. I want players with feeling, with passion demanding (more) from each other. Then they have that chemistry and those two certainly have that on and off the field. I love that even when they win they still want to do better.”

Speaking prior to the game, Saliba had discussed his relationship with Gabriel, saying: “Of course, we are friends. We are happy play together. He speaks French as well so that’s easy. I love to play with him. A really good player and good leader as well.”

Arsenal looking to build on crucial defensive partnership

Arsenal fans will be relieved to hear that there are seemingly no issues with their star defenders, given that both players are hoping to form a long-term partnership together at centre-back.

Both Saliba and Gabriel have played the most minutes out of any outfield Arsenal player this season and their partnership has seen Ben White shifted to right-back, with Takehiro Tomiyasu relegated to the bench.

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Arsenal also have Rob Holding in reserve as well as January signing Jakub Kiwior but Saliba and Gabriel have established themselves at the heart of a defence that has conceded the second-least amount of goals in the Premier League this season.

Gabriel recently signed a new contract with the club that extended his stay until 2027 and Arsenal’s priority now is believed to be securing a new deal for Saliba, with his current one set to expire next summer.