Arsenal have built their recent success on defensive excellence, but their remarkable 1-0 victory over Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday has sparked an intriguing debate: do Gabriel Magalhaes and Ezri Konsa currently form the best centre-back partnership in world football?
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Mikel Arteta’s side made history on Merseyside, becoming the first team in recorded Premier League history to prevent Liverpool from registering a single shot on target at Anfield. The Reds attempted 17 shots, but not one forced David Raya into a save.
Kai Havertz scored the only goal of the game in the 16th minute, ending Arsenal’s 14-year wait for a league victory at Anfield and sending the defending champions three points clear at the top of the Premier League.
However, while Havertz grabbed the headlines with his decisive contribution, it was Arsenal’s defensive resilience that ultimately secured the victory.
At the heart of that performance were Gabriel and Konsa, two defenders whose understanding, physical presence and tactical intelligence have transformed Arsenal’s backline into one of the most formidable defensive units in European football.
With the Gunners conceding just five goals in their opening nine Premier League matches, the question is no longer whether the partnership is working.
It is whether there is a better centre-back pairing anywhere in world football right now.
Ezri Konsa and Gabriel are building quite the partnership during Saliba’s absence…
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) October 24, 2026
🏟️ 10 Games played together
✅ 8 Wins
🧱 6 Clean Sheets
⚽️ 2 Goals combined pic.twitter.com/Aw95S7yTEY
A Historic Defensive Masterclass At Anfield
Winning at Anfield is difficult enough. Preventing Liverpool from registering a single shot on target is something no Premier League team had managed there since Opta’s records began in the 2003-04 season.
That is precisely what Arsenal achieved on Sunday.
Liverpool dominated possession for long periods, enjoying approximately 56% of the ball and repeatedly attacking the Gunners’ penalty area.
The hosts registered 17 attempts, won seven corners and delivered more than 30 crosses, yet they were unable to find a way through Arsenal’s defensive structure.
Florian Wirtz came closest when his free kick struck the crossbar, while Alexis Mac Allister squandered a promising headed opportunity.
But despite Liverpool’s pressure, Raya was never required to make a save from a shot on target.
It was a remarkable achievement, particularly considering that Liverpool had recorded at least one shot on target in each of their previous 441 Premier League home matches during the period covered by Opta’s data.
Another defensive masterclass from @Arsenal 🛡️ pic.twitter.com/UTMfA35g8Q
— Premier League (@premierleague) November 1, 2026
Gabriel and Konsa were central to that resistance.
Their ability to dominate aerial challenges, anticipate danger and maintain their positioning under sustained pressure ensured Liverpool’s attacking players were repeatedly forced into difficult shooting situations.
Konsa was particularly impressive, winning eight of his nine duels while registering eight clearances, five tackles, five recoveries and two blocks.
The England international’s composure complemented Gabriel’s physicality, allowing Arsenal to absorb pressure without losing their defensive organisation.
Of course, Arsenal’s defensive performance was a collective effort, with Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori also making important contributions.
Nevertheless, Gabriel and Konsa provided the foundation upon which the victory was built.
And in a fixture where Arsenal had so often struggled historically, their performance represented another significant statement of the team’s defensive credentials.
From Unexpected Partnership To Arsenal’s Greatest Strength
Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of Gabriel and Konsa’s success is how quickly their partnership has developed.
For several seasons, Gabriel and William Saliba were widely regarded as one of the Premier League’s strongest defensive combinations.
Their understanding, physical attributes and ability to defend large spaces played a crucial role in Arsenal’s transformation into genuine title contenders.
However, Saliba’s serious back injury during the 2026 World Cup forced Arteta to reconsider his defensive options.
Arsenal responded by signing Konsa from Aston Villa for a reported £51 million in August, bringing in a defender with extensive Premier League experience and the versatility to operate both centrally and at right-back.
There were legitimate questions about how quickly the England international would adapt to Arsenal’s system.
Replacing a player of Saliba’s quality was never going to be straightforward, particularly for a team whose defensive organisation depends heavily on communication and positional understanding.
Yet Konsa has exceeded expectations.
Before the Liverpool encounter, Gabriel and Konsa had started nine matches together across domestic competitions, recording seven victories and five clean sheets.
Both defenders also scored during Arsenal’s victory over Everton in October, demonstrating their value at the opposite end of the pitch.
Their understanding has developed remarkably quickly, with Konsa publicly praising Gabriel for making his transition into the team easier.
The Brazilian’s leadership and experience have undoubtedly played an important role, but Konsa deserves enormous credit for adapting so seamlessly.
Rather than simply filling in for Saliba, he has established himself as an outstanding defender in his own right.
And with Arsenal continuing to produce clean sheets and impressive defensive performances, Arteta now faces an enviable selection dilemma when Saliba eventually returns.
Gabriel Magalhaes: The Leader Of Arsenal’s Defence
Gabriel has developed into one of the most complete centre-backs in world football.
When he arrived from Lille in 2020, the Brazilian possessed the physical attributes to succeed in the Premier League, but his decision-making and consistency occasionally attracted criticism.
Six years later, those concerns have largely disappeared.
Gabriel is now a commanding presence at the heart of Arsenal’s defence, combining strength, aerial dominance and aggressive defending with considerably improved positional awareness.
His ability to anticipate danger and win physical battles makes him particularly effective against traditional centre-forwards, while his growing confidence in possession allows Arsenal to build attacks from deep.
However, Gabriel’s greatest contribution may be his leadership.
He is vocal, demanding and relentless in his pursuit of defensive perfection, regularly organising teammates and ensuring Arsenal maintain their shape.
His partnership with Konsa has also demonstrated his adaptability.
After spending several seasons developing an understanding with Saliba, Gabriel has successfully established another formidable partnership without compromising his performances.
He also remains a significant attacking threat from set pieces, an increasingly important weapon in Arsenal’s approach.
In many respects, Gabriel has become the embodiment of Arteta’s Arsenal: physically imposing, tactically disciplined and exceptionally difficult to beat.
And at 28, he is entering what should be the prime years of his career.
Ezri Konsa: Arsenal’s Signing Of The Season?
While Gabriel’s reputation as an elite defender was already firmly established, Konsa’s emergence as one of Arsenal’s most important players has been one of the most impressive developments of the campaign.
The England international arrived from Aston Villa with considerable Premier League experience, having developed into one of the country’s most reliable defenders.
However, there is a difference between performing consistently for a team competing for European qualification and becoming a central figure in a side defending the Premier League title.
Konsa has made that transition look remarkably straightforward.
His greatest strengths are his intelligence, composure and ability to read the game.
Unlike defenders who rely primarily on aggressive challenges, Konsa often prevents danger before it develops, using intelligent positioning and anticipation to intercept passes and restrict attacking space.
He is also comfortable defending one-on-one situations, possessing the mobility required to deal with quick forwards and the physical strength to compete against powerful centre-forwards.
Those qualities make him an excellent partner for Gabriel.
Where the Brazilian is aggressive and commanding, Konsa provides calmness and control.
Their contrasting styles complement each other, allowing Arsenal to defend effectively both deep inside their own half and higher up the pitch.
His performance at Anfield was arguably his finest in an Arsenal shirt.
Winning eight of nine duels against Liverpool’s attacking players was impressive enough, but his ability to remain composed under sustained pressure demonstrated the maturity that has made him such an important signing.
With Saliba working towards a return from injury, Konsa has also given Arteta a difficult decision.
Dropping a defender who has performed so consistently would seem harsh, particularly when Arsenal’s defensive record has been exceptional.
But having three elite centre-backs competing for two positions is precisely the kind of problem a title-winning manager wants.
Are Gabriel And Konsa The Best Partnership In The World?
This is where the debate becomes particularly interesting.
There is a difference between possessing two outstanding individual centre-backs and forming an exceptional defensive partnership.
The best combinations are not necessarily made up of the two most talented defenders. They are built on understanding, communication, complementary strengths and the ability to perform consistently against elite opposition.
Gabriel and Konsa currently tick almost every box.
Their partnership has helped Arsenal establish the Premier League’s strongest defensive record after nine matches, while their performance against Liverpool demonstrated their ability to withstand sustained pressure in one of European football’s most intimidating environments.
However, declaring them the best in the world requires considering several other outstanding combinations.
| Partnership | Club | Assessment |
| Gabriel Magalhaes & Ezri Konsa | Arsenal | Current in-form benchmark; outstanding defensive understanding |
| Ruben Dias & Marc Guehi | Manchester City | Elite partnership combining leadership, experience and defensive intelligence |
| Willian Pacho & Marquinhos | PSG | Established elite combination with proven European pedigree |
| Dayot Upamecano & Jonathan Tah | Bayern Munich | Physically dominant pairing with excellent recovery pace and aerial ability |
| Virgil van Dijk & Jeremy Jacquet | Liverpool | Experienced leader alongside an emerging young defender; still developing |
Final Thoughts: The Best In The World Right Now?
Gabriel Magalhaes and Ezri Konsa have been nothing short of outstanding during the opening months of the season.
Their partnership has developed with remarkable speed, helping Arsenal establish the Premier League’s strongest defensive record and produce one of the most impressive performances of Arteta’s tenure.
Preventing Liverpool from registering a single shot on target at Anfield was a historic achievement, particularly considering the Reds’ attacking quality and the pressure Arsenal faced throughout the encounter.
However, it would be unfair to attribute that accomplishment exclusively to the two centre-backs.
Arsenal’s entire defensive structure deserves recognition, from the midfield protection provided by Rice to the contributions of their full-backs and goalkeeper.
Nevertheless, Gabriel and Konsa have emerged as the foundation of that defensive excellence.
Their contrasting qualities, impressive understanding and consistency have made them one of the most effective partnerships in European football.
Whether they can sustain those standards across an entire season remains to be seen, especially with Saliba eventually returning to challenge for a starting position.
But based on what they have demonstrated so far, there is every reason to include them in the conversation about the world’s finest defensive combinations.
The verdict? Gabriel and Konsa might not yet have the longevity to be crowned the undisputed best centre-back partnership in world football, but on current form, very few combinations have a stronger claim.
And if Arsenal continue defending like they did at Anfield, that debate will only become more difficult to settle.
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