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3 Arsenal players make Teams of the Week after City draw

3 Arsenal players make Teams of the Week after City draw
3 Arsenal players make Teams of the Week after City draw

Three Arsenal players featured in various Teams of the Week after their match against Manchester City on Sunday.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 22: Riccardo Calafiori of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team's first goal with teammates during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Arsenal FC at Etihad Stadium on September 22, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND: Riccardo Calafiori of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammates during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Arsenal FC at Etihad Stadium on September 22, 2024. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Arsenal and Manchester City played out a controversial 2-2 draw on Sunday, with City scoring late to deny the 10-man Gunners all three points.

Despite failing to get the win, there were some impressive performances from the Arsenal defence, particularly goalscorer Gabriel Magalhaes.

So it was no surprise that Gabriel made it into Alan Shearer’s Premier League Team of the Week, along with goalkeeper David Raya.

Alan Shearer's Premier League Team of the Week for Matchday 5 of the 2024/25 campaign
Alan Shearer’s Premier League Team of the Week for Matchday 5 of the 2024/25 campaign

Shearer praised Raya for “some vital stops” and highlighted the way the goalkeeper “commanded his box well when 10-man Arsenal needed a breather”.

The former striker added that Gabriel made his team with “yet another important goal”, adding that the defender was also “a commanding presence” in the second half.

Shearer was impressed with Arsenal’s performance as a whole, telling the BBC:

“The way the Gunners came from a goal down to lead at Etihad Stadium before the break, and then hold out for almost the entire second half with 10 men, showed why they have become such a force – mentally, physically, and tactically.”

Troy Deeney's BBC Team of the Week for Matchday 5 of the 2024/25 campaign
Troy Deeney’s BBC Team of the Week for Matchday 5 of the 2024/25 campaign

Sticking with the BBC, Troy Deeney picked Gabriel and Riccardo Calafiori for his BBC Team of the Week.

Deeney wrote that Gabriel deserves the attention he’s getting, arguing the player has “got this aura now when it comes to set-pieces”. The ex-striker highlighted that City doubled up on the Brazilian and still couldn’t stop him scoring.

The pundit then said of Calafiori that after a “poor start”, the Italian “grew into the game” and “scored an unbelievable goal”. More than that, Deeney praised the defender’s “tactical nouse” and “excellent” understanding of defending with a man less.

WhoScored's Team of the Week for Matchday 5 of the 2024/25 campaign
WhoScored’s Team of the Week for Matchday 5 of the 2024/25 campaign

Finally, WhoScored also picked Gabriel for their Team of the Week, with Sam Hammond highlighting the defender’s goal, two tackles, three blocks, and five clearances.