By Jack Beam
Here is a closer look at what’s behind Europe’s best centre-back duo that features English Premier League side Arsenal’s William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães.
Arsenal’s two defenders William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães are arguably Europe’s best centre-back duo, but what makes their unique brotherhood so special? Let’s dive straight in to find out.
How did the 2024/25 EPL season finish for Arsenal?
For many football fans across the world who closely follow the top domestic leagues, Arsenal’s dynamic duo, William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães, are unquestionably the best centre-back pairing out there.
However, their defensive efforts weren’t enough to secure Arsenal a Premier League title. They finished second in the league below winners Liverpool but did manage to secure a guaranteed spot in the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League competition.
At the end of the season, Liverpool finished 10 points above Arsenal. After all 38 games were played, Liverpool had won 25, drawn 9, lost 4, scored 86 and conceded 41, which meant that they had a +45-goal difference (GD). In comparison, Arsenal won 20, drew 14, lost 4, scored 69 and conceded only 34, which meant that they had a +35 GD.
No other EPL team conceded fewer goals than Arsenal, thanks to the Saliba and Gabriel defensive partnership.
The experts who give highly accurate Arsenal betting tips on reputable sites like the official MegaTipsList website are already saying that next season could reveal similar statistics, provided nothing changes between the centre-back duo.
For Arsenal to win the league, they will need to invest in a striker or two who can score regular goals. It was the only thing that they were lacking this season.
Why is the Saliba and Gabriel defensive partnership so good?
The highly effective defensive partnership between Saliba and Gabriel was instrumental in Arsenal’s second-place finish in the league at the end of the latest campaign.
They both have a unique ability to read the game and anticipate play, have excellent positional awareness, and their strengths and weaknesses both perfectly complement each other’s.
The two are always willing to cover each other and always instinctively know where the other will be. Gabriel is known for his more physical and aggressive style, whereas Saliba is better known for his composure on the ball and technical skills, which makes them an indispensable duo. They are good at creating a solid defensive wall, and the two have excellent communication skills and trust in each other.
They can both play out from the back and build attacks, and they are quick to react effectively to thwart attacks.
Can Arsenal’s defensive duo help them win the title next year?
As mentioned, Arsenal will need to rely more on just their defence to win the title next season. To stand a chance of winning the league, they must invest in more attacking power. As it stands, Arsenal are only the third odds-on favourite to win the league based on the latest average odds and expert predictions.
The top three favourites to win the 2025/26 EPL campaign are the following:
- Liverpool (odds-on favourites) – currently priced at around 37/20 in fractional odds, with a 35.10% implied probability rate of winning the league outright
- Manchester City (second odds-on favourites) – currently priced at around 9/4 in fractional odds, with a 30.90% IPR
- Arsenal (third odds-on favourites) – currently priced at around 5/2 in fractional odds, with a 28.60% IPR
Final thoughts
Don’t forget that there’s still a long way to go before the season starts and that these odds are subject to change somewhat over the coming months.
Also, based on these odds, you could say that both Manchester City and Arsenal are an excellent value bet and that betting on the favourites, in this case, Liverpool, won’t guarantee a return on your initial stake.
