‘He’s so aggressive’ – Rio Ferdinand labels Arsenal man his best player to watch

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·2 September 2025

‘He’s so aggressive’ – Rio Ferdinand labels Arsenal man his best player to watch

Premier League legend Rio Ferdinand has admitted that an Arsenal player has been a joy to watch lately. The Gunners head into the international break off the back of their first loss of the season. The narrow defeat to Liverpool at Anfield was also the first goal they conceded this campaign as they continue to possess one of the best defences in Europe. David Raya has been exceptional, earning two clean sheets already while the defence has been resolute. William Saliba and Gabriel have been immense yet again, even though the former recently picked up an injury.

Ferdinand’s admiration for Gabriel

Gabriel has developed into one of the best defenders in the world, blending pace and power to devastating effect. Rio Ferdinand has praised the Brazilian, citing his love for watching the defender in action in recent times. The former Manchester United defender recalled that he once told him to be less emotional on the pitch. He revealed the player did not respond well at the time, but Ferdinand reckons the defender would have heeded his advice.

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“You know, actually, who I have been enjoying watching lately? Gabriel,” said Ferdinand. “He’s so aggressive. So aggressive,” he said on Rio Ferdinand Presents.

“I was watching him against Liverpool, and I was thinking… remember when he came back at me in my DMs? Well, what happened, right, he gave away a penalty late on in the season, a few bad decisions, like penalties and stuff. I said that, to become a top defender, he has got to be less emotional and making them rash decisions in them critical moments in games. The sooner he gets that out of his game, he’ll be a better footballer, a better player, and he came back in my DMs, going like ‘you’ve never played the game if that’s how you’re going on, and I respected you, but the way you’re talking about me, it’s not fair’, and I understand that, because I felt like that when pundits spoke about me. But I think as time has gone on, and when I see him again and we chat about it, at some point, I think he’ll go ‘do you know what, actually you were probably right at the time, I just didn’t take it the right way’.”

Gabriel (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Gabriel’s growth at Arsenal

“I watch him now, that’s the only part of his game that’s improved. There’s bits that have improved elsewhere, do not get me wrong here, but he’s just eradicated silly, rash mistakes, which was holding him back. Experience, time, patience for these guys. That’s what you need to give them. Let them flourish,” Ferdinand added.

When the Brazilian first arrived in 2020, his qualities stood out immediately. His defensive solidity and set-piece threat were evident in the very first game as he scored on his Arsenal debut and kept a clean sheet. However, there were clearly some areas he needed to improve upon. Individual errors, both with and without the ball, were evident as he was capable of rash decisions. Fast forward nearly five years and the Brazilian has cut that out of his game. His partnership with Saliba has also helped him incredibly given how well the pair complement each other.

What are your thoughts on Ferdinand’s comments?

Benjamin Kenneth

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