The Arsenal centre-back has scored in both games since returning to the starting line-up. DREAM TEAM managers didn’t need a reminder about Gabriel (£5.3m). But Arsenal’s No6 has given them one anyway.
Having missed nine games through injury, Gabriel returned against Brighton in Gameweek 17 with a short cameo off the bench. Since reclaiming his rightful place in the starting line-up, the Brazil international has plundered 24 points in two outings.
Against Aston Villa, he proved that his spell on the sidelines did not dampen his set-piece supremacy as he outmuscled Emi Martinez (£4.4m) to convert a corner and open the floodgates at the Emirates. Gabriel was also awarded clean sheet points against the Villains as he was replaced by Myles Lewis-Skelly (£3.1m) in the 77th minute with the score at 3-0, meaning he wasn’t on the pitch when Ollie Watkins (£4.9m) scored a consolation goal in stoppage time to make it 4-1.
When all was said and done, the 28-year-old banked 15 points upon his full return in what was a tricky fixture on paper — Unai Emery’s side were on a long winning streak that included victory over the Gunners at Villa Park.
Gabriel did show signs of ring rust at Bournemouth with a rare error that directly led to Evanilson’s (£3.1m) opener. But it took him just six minutes to make amends with an equaliser from open play (for a nine-point return) as Mikel Arteta’s men rallied to win 3-2 on the south coast.
From a Dream Team perspective, two goals in two starts is evidence that Gabriel is back with a bang. The only defender who got away from him during his six-week absence was team-mate Jurrien Timber (£4.6m).
MOST POINTS AMONG DREAM TEAM DEFENDERS THIS SEASON
- 175 pts – Jurrien Timber
- 155 pts – Gabriel
- 155 pts – Marc Guehi
- 153 pts – Pedro Porro
- 149 pts – Daniel Munoz
That Gabriel holds such a lofty ranking despite missing a crucial period of the campaign only underlines his immense pedigree.
Gabriel Magalhães during the Premier League match between Leicester City FC and Arsenal FC. 155 points at an average of 7.8 per game Credit: Getty
With four goals, four assists and 12 clean sheets to his name, Gabriel is undoubtedly a top-tier asset. He averages a mighty 7.8 points-per-game in 2025/26, a figure only bettered by Erling Haaland (£8m).
His rapid return to prominence has given Dream Team managers the hurry-up. Gabriel is currently the third-most popular recruit ahead of Gameweek 19 and his ownership will only increase further if he produces an imperious performance against Liverpool on Thursday night.
Arsenal are one of just four teams set to fulfil eight fixtures across the next four Gameweeks, a result of their two-legged Carabao Cup semi-final against Chelsea — Newcastle and Manchester City will also face off for a place at Wembley. Sometimes Dream Team is a simple game and it seems obvious that a key player for the league leaders is likely to thrive at a time when the fixtures come thick and fast.
Gabriel currently features in 8.6% of teams.