Arsenal
Top scoring Arsenal defenders in EPL: Gabriel Magalhaes still is a few goals away from the summit
Here is a look at the top scoring Arsenal defenders in the English Premier League in the wake of Gabriel Magalhaes banging in goals for fun
Gabriel Magalhaes’ knack for scoring goals from corners has been evident right since he arrived at Arsenal. However, since Nicolas Jover took charge as the North London club’s set-piece coach, he has been unstoppable.
The Brazilian has scored a minimum of three goals every season, and this ongoing 2024/25 he has been at his threatening best in corners, also thanks to Bukayo Saka’s pin-point delivery. He also scored back-to-back goals for the club, after a leaping header at Sporting CP in the UEFA Champions League followed by an accurate header past Lukasz Fabianski of West Ham United in the English Premier League.
With Gabriel Magalhaes slowly climbing up the ladder of top scoring defenders for Arsenal in the English Premier League, here is a look at the top 5 list dominated by former stars.
1) Laurent Koscielny
The former captain always was a threat for the opponents in set pieces. Besides headers, he has scored acrobatic goals for Arsenal from corners as well. He tops the list with an impressive haul of 22 goals in the English Premier League. Although ‘Kos the Boss’ has played significantly more matches than his peer who is second on the list, it will take a while before he is dethroned.
2) Gabriel Magalhaes
Not a big surprise. ‘Big Gabi’ is 5 goals away from Laurent Koscielny’s 22. Having scored 17 goals for the North London club, Gabriel has played at least 100 matches lesser than the former French footballer.
With his goal-scoring threat only improving, it might only be a while before he takes the first spot on this illustrious list.
3) Thomas Vermaelen
Another former Arsenal skipper on the list. The Belgian defender was a serious threat in front of goal as well. Vermaelen was also equally adept at playing various positions, viz. left-back, CDM, which also gave him more chances to score.
Vermaelen, in just 110 games in the EPL for Arsenal, scored an impressive 13 goals. Had it not been for injuries, he would have been a difficult man to catch in this list.
4) William Gallas
Another Frenchman finding his place on this list. William Gallas, unlike Gabriel, used to score a lot of goals with his foot as well. Although, not liked by Gooners (having played for fierce rivals Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur), one can’t deny the goal-scoring abilities of Gallas.
In only 101 appearances for the club in the English Premier League, Gallas found the back of the net 12 times.
5) Tony Adams
The legendary Tony Adams has scored a considerable number of memorable goals for Arsenal. The Englishman is the only pre-Emirates era defender on this list. Having made over 250 appearances for Arsenal in the English Premier League, Adams found the back of the net 12 times, level with William Gallas (who played significantly fewer games).
Arsenal Women host Manchester United on Saturday in a crucial six pointer for Champions League qualification. The Gunners sit just one point above United in the WSL table and victory at Emirates Stadium would give them a strong buffer, while defeat leaves them playing catch up in the race for Europe.
The match marks Arsenal’s return from the winter break following a busy week that saw Renee Slegers sign a new contract and Jodie Taylor promoted to Technical Director. However, the immediate focus is on securing three points against Marc Skinner’s side in what promises to be a tense encounter.
Kick-off: 12:30 GMT, Saturday, January 11, 2026
Venue: Emirates Stadium, London
TV: Sky Sports (UK)
Cooney Cross Absent For Personal Reasons
Arsenal will be without Kyra Cooney Cross who has returned to Australia for personal reasons. Daphne van Domselaar is not quite ready to return from a quad injury while Chloe Kelly remains out with a knee problem. Jenna Nighswonger will not be in the matchday squad as she negotiates a loan move.
New signing Smilla Holmberg from Hammarby will be in the squad alongside recalled goalkeeper Naomi Williams. Manu Zinsberger and Katie Reid are out with ACL injuries. The absence of Cooney Cross means Mariona will likely drop into the deeper midfield role she has occupied for much of the last year.
United Strengthened in January
Manchester United have been busy in the transfer window, adding full back Hanna Lundkvist from San Diego Wave and centre forward Lea Schuller from Bayern Munich. Skinner was dealt a poor hand over the summer with a very small squad handling Champions League qualifiers and the group phase.
Predicted Lineup:
Arsenal (4-3-3): Borbe; Fox, Williamson, Catley, McCabe; Little, Mariona, Maanum; Mead, Russo, Smith
Manchester United (4-2-3-1): Tullis Joyce; Lundkvist, Le Tissier, Janssen, Sandberg; Miyazawa, Zigiotti; Park, Malard, Awujo; Schuller
Also read: Arsenal Women disable social media comments after sexist backlash to new signing
Arsenal confirmed on January 9, 2026 that Jodie Taylor has been appointed as the club’s first ever Technical Director.
The 39-year-old former England striker moves up from her existing role as Technical Services Manager, a position she has held since September 2023 following her retirement from professional football.
Taylor’s promotion comes on the same day Arsenal announced Renee Slegers’ new contract extension through 2029, creating a strategic restructuring of the women’s football department.
A Decade Long Arsenal Connection
Taylor’s relationship with Arsenal spans ten years since first joining as a player in 2016. She scored 10 goals in 17 appearances during her initial spell before returning on a short-term deal in March 2023. Taylor earned 50 plus England caps during her international career and won the Golden Boot at Euro 2017.
She represented her country at the 2015 Women’s World Cup finishing third and played for multiple elite clubs including Lyon, Orlando Pride, Portland Thorns and San Diego Wave throughout her career.
Strategic Structural Development
Taylor’s new role bridges critical areas of football operations including recruitment, analysis, coaching and performance support. She will work closely with Renee Slegers on a daily basis as the Technical Director, providing structural support for coaching decisions and squad development.
Director of Women’s Football Clare Wheatley praised Taylor’s appointment as integral to continued development of the program as Arsenal challenges for major trophies consistently. Wheatley will now focus on upward management across UEFA, FIFA and domestic boards while Taylor handles day to day operations.
Building a High Performance Environment
Taylor expressed immense pride stepping into her new position, emphasizing Arsenal’s remarkable growth over the past decade. She committed to nurturing a high-performance environment where players, coaching staff and support teams have the right tools to deliver at the highest level.
Her appointment represents investment in female leadership within Arsenal’s technical infrastructure, aligning with the club’s commitment to developing their women’s program systematically and strategically moving forward into their next phase.
Also read: Arsenal Women disable social media comments after sexist backlash to new signing
Arsenal confirmed on January 9, 2026 that head coach Renee Slegers has signed a new long-term contract extending through the summer of 2029.
The 36-year-old Dutch coach was previously due to exit at the end of the 2025-26 season but now commits three and a half additional years to the club. Her extension rewards an extraordinary debut season where she guided Arsenal to historic UEFA Women’s Champions League victory after beating Barcelona 1-0 in the Lisbon final.
From Academy Player to Champions League Winner
Renee Slegers’ connection to Arsenal dates back decades. She played in the club’s academy as a teenager and watched Arsenal claim their previous Champions League trophy in 2007 from the stands. Her return to the club came in summer 2023 as assistant coach following two years leading Swedish club Rosengard where she won back-to-back Damallsvenskan titles.
She stepped into the interim role in October 2024 when Jonas Eidevall departed and impressed immediately with an 11-match unbeaten run. That performance earned her permanent appointment in January 2025, and by May 2025 she had delivered historic Champions League glory.
Arsenal’s Long-Term Vision
Slegers told club media that her journey from academy player to Champions League winning head coach represents immense pride. She stated the club has much to achieve together in the coming seasons. Arsenal Director of Women’s Football Clare Wheatley described Slegers as an elite coach with capabilities to lead continued title challenges.
Chief Executive Richard Garlick praised her impact driving standards and progress toward consistent top-level competition.
Jodie Taylor Joins as Technical Director
The announcement accompanied confirmation that former England international Jodie Taylor has been appointed Arsenal’s first ever women’s technical director. Taylor, who retired in 2023 after two Arsenal playing spells, will work closely with Slegers on recruitment, analysis and specialisation. Her role bridges previously disconnected recruitment and technical departments creating stronger operational cohesion.
Arsenal continues their title defence facing Manchester United on January 11 with five trophies remaining in play this season.
Also read: Arsenal star Kyra Cooney-Cross returns to Australia after mother’s terminal cancer diagnosis
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