Agbonlahor shares verdict on Gabriel axe after Arsenal deal agreed – ‘you’re out’
Gabby Agbonlahor has claimed the signing of Jurrien Timber at Arsenal has piled the “pressure” on current first-choice star Gabriel Magalhaes.
The former Aston Villa striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the 25-year-old will be “out” of the side after his first “trademark mistake”.
Football Insider revealed on Monday (3 July) that Timber has also agreed personal terms with Mikel Arteta’s side and is set to sign for Arsenal on a long-term deal.
The Netherlands international is set to cost the Gunners £40million plus add-ons.
Gabriel started all 38 of Arsenal’s Premier League fixtures last term but dropped a few high-profile clangers as Arteta’s side narrowly missed out on the title to Man City.
The absence of William Saliba also played a key role in the collapse, with Rob Holding coming in to replace the injured France international in the closing stages of the campaign.
Agbonlahor told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “I think for the start of the season, Gabriel should keep his place.
“When they played him with Saliba at the start of the season, they were both phenomenal.
“He has got the odd mistake in him, Gabriel, but even with a mistake he is better than Holding.
“But bringing in Timber really puts the pressure on him. It says – first mistake, and you’re out.”
“We can’t afford for you to do your trademark conceding a penalty, your trademark lack of concentration – because these are the big boy competitions.
“The Champions League is tough every single week. It’s going to be a case of one mistake and Gabriel is out.”
In other news, Arsenal set to blow Tottenham away with new £106million+ payout.