{"id":9718,"date":"2026-05-10T14:34:34","date_gmt":"2026-05-10T14:34:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news678.top\/?p=9718"},"modified":"2026-05-10T14:34:34","modified_gmt":"2026-05-10T14:34:34","slug":"joao-pedro-names-inspired-arsenal-star-as-toughest-opponent-this-season-football","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news678.top\/?p=9718","title":{"rendered":"Joao Pedro names ‘inspired’ Arsenal star as ‘toughest’ opponent this season | Football"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n\t\t\"\"\t<\/div>
Joao Pedro was \u2018surprised\u2019 by the pace of Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes (Picture: TNT Sports Brasil)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Chelsea forward Joao Pedro has picked out Arsenal centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes as the \u2018toughest\u2019 defender he has come up against this season.<\/p>\n

Gabriel has once again proven a monumental figure at the back for Arsenal this term, with the Gunners boasting far and away the best defensive record in the Premier League.<\/p>\n

The 28-year-old Brazilian has built a formidable partnership with William Saliba over the last four years and the duo are widely considered to be among the most complete centre-half pairings in European football.<\/p>\n

It has seen Gabriel and Saliba named in the PFA Team of the Year in each of the last two seasons \u2013 and both players appear shoo-ins to continue their run in the side when it is unveiled in August.<\/p>\n

Arsenal\u2019s Community Shield win in 2023 remains Gabriel\u2019s sole piece of silverware since swapping Lille for north London six years ago, though, something he will be desperate to put right this season.<\/p>\n

Victory over relegation-threatened West Ham would go some way to achieving that this afternoon, a result that would putt Gabriel and Co within touching distance of a Premier League title which has eluded the club for the last 22 years.<\/p>\n

There can be no doubting that Arteta\u2019s squad stand on the cusp of greatness, with the side also just one game away from a first-ever Champions League title.<\/p>\n

\n
\n\t\t\"Arsenal\t<\/div>
Pedro has faced Gabriel in the league and Carabao Cup this season (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
\n\t\t\"Arsenal\t<\/div>
Gabriel and Co are seeking a historic double (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Gabriel will know he and Saliba will likely have to perform at their very best if they are to keep out the likes of Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue when Arsenal lock horns with Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest later this month.<\/p>\n

But according to Pedro, Arsenal perhaps have the player best-equipped to snuff out PSG\u2019s embarrassment of riches in attack having gone toe-to-toe with his fellow countryman in both the Premier League and Carabao Cup in recent months.<\/p>\n

\u2018The toughest defender to play against this season? Top three: Willian Pacho and Jonathan Tah, but Gabriel Magalhaes was the toughest in my opinion,\u2019 the Chelsea and Brazil attacker told TNT Sports Brasil.<\/p>\n

\u2018I was surprised by his speed, but I gave him a hard time, too! He\u2019s been inspired this season.\u2019<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n

\t\t\t\t\t

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tbrowser that
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsupports HTML5
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tvideo<\/p><\/video>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Pedro joked that he was \u2018happy\u2019 to have Gabriel as a team-mate rather than an opponent ahead of this summer\u2019s World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.<\/p>\n

\u2018We have a great relationship,\u2019 he added.<\/p>\n

\u2018I\u2019m happy he\u2019s on my side in the World Cup.\u2019<\/p>\n

\n
\n\t\t\"Arsenal\t<\/div>
The Gunners face West Ham at the London Stadium this weekend (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Speaking to ESPN ahead of Arsenal\u2019s trip to West Ham, Gabriel reassured fans that he had no plans to leave as there were still plenty of \u2018dreams\u2019 for him to fulfil with the Gunners.<\/p>\n

\u2018I think that since I arrived at Arsenal, I have been very well received. So it\u2019s the club that I have in my heart forever,\u2019 the Brazil international explained.<\/p>\n

\u2018I\u2019m very happy here. I feel at home, my family loves the club. It\u2019s been satisfying for me to have all this time with the Arsenal jersey, so I certainly want to achieve great things here.<\/p>\n

\u2018I\u2019m about to reach six years at the club. I do still have dreams to come here. I am happy and I hope to be able to bring a lot of joy to the fans who deserve it.\u2019<\/p>\n

\n

Is Gabriel the best centre-back in the Premier League?<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Gabriel is under no illusions about how \u2018difficult\u2019 it may be for Arsenal\u2019s squad to get over the line in both the Premier League and Champions League this season.<\/p>\n

\u2018We are living in a moment\u2026 a very intense year, because everyone knows, we are in every competition,\u2019 he continued.<\/p>\n

\u2018We have a very good group, where all the players are happy, they are able to have opportunities. And our expectation is that we can go step by step.<\/p>\n

\u2018We certainly want to win titles, but we also know that it\u2019s very difficult, but we have to keep in mind that we can do it. <\/p>\n

\u2018So we are very relaxed about that, for sure we are under pressure, everyone says a lot of things from the outside, but we here have a good headspace and are focused on what is to come.\u2019<\/p>\n

Asked to reveal his favourite moment yet in an Arsenal shirt, Gabriel replied: \u2018There are several moments, but I will talk about a game, that was the match where I scored the goal against Tottenham at their stadium. <\/p>\n

\u2018I think it was a very special moment for me and it was a dream that I had.<\/p>\n

For more stories like this,\u00a0check our sport page<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on
\nFacebook,\u00a0<\/strong>Twitter<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Instagram<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Arrow<\/title>\n<\/svg>MORE: West Ham vs Arsenal LIVE: Premier League latest score and confirmed lineups<\/span><\/p>\n

Arrow<\/title>\n<\/svg>MORE: Chelsea make decision over next manager but fear Liverpool will scupper plans<\/span><\/p>\n

Arrow<\/title>\n<\/svg>MORE: Joe Cole urges Chelsea to consider transfer moves for England duo and Barcelona star<\/span><\/p>\n
\n\t\t\tComment now<\/title>\n<\/svg><\/span>
\n\t\t\tComments<\/span><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tAdd Metro as a Preferred Source on Google<\/title>\n<\/svg><\/span>
\n\t\t\t\tAdd as preferred source<\/span>
\n\t\t\t<\/section>\n<\/p><\/div>\n