Best goalscoring campaigns from centre-backs in Premier League history as Gabriel nets third goal in 13 games
The Arsenal No.6 is on track to break the record... ❗️
Arsenal have an elite aerial threat in Gabriel Magalhaes.
The Brazilian netted his third goal in 13 Premier League games on Saturday with yet another header for Arsenal in the 5-2 win over West Ham.
It came after the Arsenal No.6 also nodded another goal in during Tuesday’s 5-1 victory over Sporting CP in the UEFA Champions League, making it four goals across 19 appearances in all competitions for the South American.
At this rate, Gabriel Magalhaes is on track to net nine Premier League goals this season, but where would that leave the Brazil international in terms of the record books? Let’s take a look.
Most goals in a Premier League season by centre-backs as Joleon Lescott leads the way
Should Gabriel, who Kai Havertz hated facing at Chelsea, end up hitting his expected tally for Premier League goals this season – nine – it would see him break a record.
As things stand, Joleon Lescott is the centre-back with the most goals in a single Premier League campaign, netting eight in 38 games for Everton during the 2007/08 season.
Behind the Englishman sits Martin Skrtel, who found the net on seven occasions for Liverpool in 36 appearances back in the 2013/14 campaign.
Level with the Slovakian is another player Arsenal fans know well in Thomas Vermaelen, who scored seven goals in 33 Premier League outings throughout the 2009/10 season.
Also tied with Skrtel and Vermaelen is Matt Elliott – who scored seven in 37 games for Leicester back in the 1997/98 season.
Player Goals Games Season Club Joleon Lescott 8 38 2007/08 Everton Martin Skrtel 7 36 2013/14 Liverpool Thomas Vermaelen 7 33 2009/10 Arsenal Matt Elliott 7 37 1997/98 Leicester City
A number of central defenders have netted six goals in Premier League seasons over the years, such as John Terry, Gary Cahill, Brede Hangeland, Robert Huth and Gareth McAuley.
Arsenal No.6 Gabriel Magalhaes already close to breaking his own personal best
It is also worth taking a look at how Gabriel – who Ben White called “scary” – is faring on an individual level this season.
Should the 26-year-old manage to score two more Premier League goals in the coming weeks, he would equal his personal best in the competition, which currently stands at the five he netted in 35 games during the 2021/22 campaign.
Season Club Games Goals 2024/25 Arsenal 13 3 2023/24 Arsenal 36 4 2022/23 Arsenal 38 3 2021/22 Arsenal 35 5 2020/21 Arsenal 23 2
At the moment, it feels like Gabriel is going to score every time Arsenal win a corner, so don’t be surprised if the Brazilian ends up breaking a Premier League record this season.
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