Arsenal legends Ian Wright and Ray Parlour have explained how Aaron Ramsdale, Benjamin White and Gabriel Magalhaes have aided the Gunners’ considerable improvement so far this season.
Mikel Arteta’s team are undefeated in their last 10 domestic games, winning 8 of those fixtures along the way.
The foundation of their success has been their impressive back three who’ve helped keep six clean sheets in 11 Premier League games.
Ramsdale and White were brought into the club in the summer, whereas Magalhaes has only been in north London for just over a season himself, but the young trio are showing that they could be a defensive force for years to come.
And their performances have earned them praise from several fans and pundits alike, including Gunners legend, Wright.
“I love the fact even with Benjamin White when he’s coming out and he said: ‘I don’t watch much football, I just play football’,” the Arsenal legend explained on the Kelly and Wrighty Show, via the Mirror.
“I love the fact that he’s brave enough and strong enough to admit that because he can deal with what comes with that.
“But when you look at his performances next to Gabriel, it’s very solid with the goalkeeper. It’s a very good team, those three are very solid.”
Wright continued by explaining how they’ve had an impact on Arsenal’s attack as well as its defence.
“They’re footballing centre-halves – into Thomas Partey, into [Albert] Sambi Lokonga.
“Now Arsenal are looking like, with the structure and the way the team is playing, you can see if it has to go long they’ll do that, but if a defender has to run it into the midfield and then go from there, we saw Ben White setting up Emile Smith Rowe’s goal the other day.
“So we’re looking at a team now with a lot of confidence.”
Wright’s words are very similar to those of another Arsenal legend in Parlour.
Speaking before Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Leicester in October, the ex-Gunners midfielder praised the trio’s efforts.
“All I can say is I’m really pleased with the back-four at the moment. I think the two centre-backs have made a massive difference. If you can keep those guys fit and keep it a steadied ship at the back then they look a lot more solid,” Parlour told talkSPORT, via the Metro.
“Ben White and Gabriel look like they’ve got a decent partnership forming which is going to be very, very good for Arsenal if they’re going to come as high as they can in the top five or top six.
“Ramsdale has been excellent since he got his opportunity.
“They lost [Emiliano] Martinez to Villa, who had a really good end to the season and they got good money for him. But then you’re thinking, “Hang on a minute, we’ve just spent £30m on Ramsdale… is that money well spent?!
“But it looks like it’s been a pretty good deal for Arsenal in recent weeks because he’s played very well.”
Wright, Parlour and Gunners fans will be hoping that they can all continue their form. If they do, Arteta’s side may have a realistic shot at qualifying for the top European places this season.