Chelsea forward, Joao Pedro, has singled out Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes as the toughest opponent he has faced this season, praising the centre-back’s speed, strength and consistency across matches in England.
Pedro made the comments while speaking to TNT Sports Brasil, where he reflected on his battles with several top defenders in Europe before highlighting the Arsenal man as the most difficult to play against.
“The toughest defender to play against this season? Top three: Willian Pacho and Jonathan Tah, but Gabriel Magalhaes was the toughest in my opinion,” Pedro said.
He admitted that Gabriel’s athletic ability stood out more than expected during their encounters.
“I was surprised by his speed, but I gave him a hard time, too! He’s been inspired this season,” he added.
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Pedro, who has faced Gabriel in both Premier League and cup matches this season, also noted the defender’s ability to read situations early and recover quickly, which often limited his space in attacking areas.
“We have a great relationship. I am happy he is on my side in the World Cup,” he said.
Gabriel has been a key figure in Arsenal’s defensive structure this season, continuing his partnership with William Saliba as the club maintained one of the strongest defensive records in the league.
The Brazilian defender’s form has also been reflected in Arsenal’s consistency at the top end of the table, with his performances drawing recognition from opponents and teammates alike.
Pedro and Gabriel are both part of Brazil’s national team setup, and their familiarity has carried into international duty, where they are expected to feature together at upcoming competitions.
