In a sport where respect is often hard-earned and rarely spoken aloud, it’s always refreshing when a young player openly acknowledges the impact of an opponent. That was the case this week when Newcastle United forward Nick Woltemade surprised reporters with high praise for Arsenal centre-back Gabriel Magalhães, calling him “the most experienced player I’ve ever played against.”
The comment came during a post-match interview following Newcastle’s narrow 1-0 loss to Arsenal at the Emirates, where Woltemade was handed a rare start by manager Eddie Howe. Matched up for much of the game against Gabriel, the 23-year-old German forward was left visibly frustrated after being shut down for most of the night.
“I’ve faced tough defenders before,” Woltemade said, “but Gabriel has this calm intensity about him. He reads the game so well, times his tackles perfectly, and never panics. You think you have space, then suddenly he’s on you. For me, he’s the most experienced player I’ve come up against so far.”
Gabriel, now 27, has become one of the pillars of Mikel Arteta’s defensive setup at Arsenal. Since arriving from Lille in 2020, the Brazilian has grown into a commanding presence, combining physical strength with improved positional intelligence. His partnership with William Saliba has been one of the most consistent in the Premier League over the past two seasons.
Woltemade’s comments are especially striking considering the young striker has played against seasoned veterans across Europe. His stints in the Bundesliga before arriving at Newcastle included duels with the likes of Mats Hummels and Jonathan Tah.
“You can see Gabriel’s been through the battles,” Woltemade added. “He’s not just athletic; he’s smart. And that’s what makes him so hard to beat.”
While Arsenal fans will welcome the compliment, it also serves as a quiet testament to the transformation Gabriel has undergone in North London. Once criticized for moments of rashness early in his Premier League career, the Brazilian has matured into a reliable leader in the backline—something younger players like Woltemade are clearly noticing.
On social media, Arsenal supporters quickly picked up the quote, with one fan posting, “Even the opposition is starting to recognize our fortress at the back. Gabriel is a beast.”
Whether Gabriel will continue to dominate domestic strikers remains to be seen, but for Nick Woltemade, one thing is clear: he won’t forget his duel with the Arsenal defender anytime soon.