Arteta names player that would get regular game time this season at Arsenal

Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta has said defender Gabriel Magalhaes would get regular game time in the Gunners squad this season.

Arteta in his statement spoke about how Magalhaes dominated the box during their Premier League 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace on Monday.

The manager made this known while explaining his decision to bench the Brazilian again as he dismissed his exit rumours.

Magalhaes, who was linked with a transfer to Saudi Pro League, came off the bench at Selhurst Park following Tomiyasu’s dismissal and gave an excellent defensive performance, helping the 10-man Arsenal keep Crystal Palace’s attack at bay.

Asked if potential interest in Magalhaes from Saudi Arabia has influenced his non-selection, Arteta said at his post-match interview: “No, nothing at all.

“It is about the games we were expecting, that I was expecting, and how I wanted to defend and attack and what I believed was the best thing.

“He’s played in both games, he helped us to win both games for different reasons.

“He was really good today, he absolutely dominated the box when he came on and he is going to play a lot of games. But that’s the decision sometimes.”