26 August 2023 , 13:47
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Mikel Arteta has admitted that he "doesn't know" whether or not Gabriel Magalhaes accepts the reasoning behind his absence from the Arsenal team, with the Brazilian was again benched for the visit of Fulham.
Gabriel played an influential role for the Gunners during the 2022/23 campaign after striking up an impressive partnership with William Saliba at the heart of defence but has now started all three of Arsenal's league matches so far this term on the bench.
Ben White, who excelled at right-back last term, has got the nod to start ahead of Gabriel, who has also been linked with a lucrative transfer to the Saudi Pro League.
Arteta has already made it clear, though, that the defender will not be leaving the club before next week's transfer deadline - even if he is unhappy with his current spot in the Arsenal pecking order.
Speaking before Saturday's match against Fulham, where Gabriel was once again named as substitute, Arteta revealed that he had explained his reasons behind the decision to the defender. The Spaniard admitted, however, that he was unsure whether or not Gabriel agreed with them.
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Arteta said in his pre-match press conference on Friday: "Yeah, especially someone that has played a lot of minutes and games with us in the last year.
"I don’t know if he understands but I told him. I think he understands the reason, whether he agrees or not, that’s something different. But the best way to do it is when you play, just tell me how blind I’m wrong, I am."
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Gabriel Magalhaes was once again left out of Arsenal's starting line-up vs Fulham (Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC)After Gabriel had been omitted from the starting line-up for Monday night's 1-0 win over Crystal Palace, Arteta was forced to quash speculation linking the centre-half with a move to Al-Ittihad.
Arteta responded to questions asking whether or not there was anything in his decision to bench one of last season's most consistent performers, he responded: “Nothing at all. It’s about the games we were expecting, how I wanted to defend and attack.
"I believe it was the best thing, he played in both games and helped us win both games. He was really good today when he came on, he was dominant and will play a lot of games."
Gabriel was an ever present for Arsenal in the Premier League last season, scoring 3 goals in 38 appearances.