 Mikel Arteta insists Gabriel Magalhaes will get enough playing time for Arsenal this season and claims the defender has been told why he has been left out of the team for the start of the new Premier League campaign. Arsenal news, exclusives and analysis Sign up Privacy Policy The 25-year-old made 48 appearances in all competitions last term but has started on the bench for Arsenal's opening two Premier League games this season. Gabriel was expected to return to the starting line-up against Crystal Palace on Monday evening following the injury to Jurrien Timber, however, Arteta opted to continue playing Ben White alongside William Saliba in central defence, while Thomas Partey started at right-back. Gabriel has been linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League but Arteta is adamant that the Brazilian will feature heavily for Arsenal and believes the defender 'understands' why he has not started yet this season. 'Gabi will play a lot of games, I'm sure and it's about bringing the competition high and try to make the team play better, better, better and better and be more dominant and win more games. That's the purpose of all of us,' Arteta said. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Asked if he has explained the reasons to Gabriel, Arteta replied: 'Yeah, especially someone that has played a lot of minutes and games with us in the last year. 'I don't know if he understands but I told him. 'I think he understands the reason, whether he agrees or not, that's something different. 'But the best way to do it is when you play, just tell me how blind I'm wrong, I am.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.){kind=link}
NEWS… BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT
Mikel Arteta insists Gabriel Magalhaes will get enough playing time for Arsenal this season and claims the defender has been told why he has been left out of the team for the start of the new Premier League campaign.
Arsenal news, exclusives and analysis
The 25-year-old made 48 appearances in all competitions last term but has started on the bench for Arsenal’s opening two Premier League games this season.
Gabriel was expected to return to the starting line-up against Crystal Palace on Monday evening following the injury to Jurrien Timber, however, Arteta opted to continue playing Ben White alongside William Saliba in central defence, while Thomas Partey started at right-back.