The release of FIFA 24 is edging closer and fans are beginning to speculate about which players will be getting the biggest upgrades and downgrades this year.
With Mikel Arteta's Arsenal flying high at the top of the Premier League, naturally, we expect the North Londoners to be the subject of several upgrades in FIFA 24.
Recently, Uncut host @Mkfray travelled to London Colney to interview Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes, discussing his Premier League career, his FIFA stats and his ultimate Brazilian 5-a-side team.
The Brazilian centre-back gave EA a piece of his mind, suggesting that his rating should be significantly upgraded ahead of the release of the new game.
Gunner on fire
Gabriel was rated as an 81 OVR player in FIFA 23. His strongest base stats in the current game are 83 Defending, 80 Physicality and 68 Pace.
When shown his FIFA 23 card and asked which stat he was most unhappy with, Gabriel said "FIFA come on!? I think passing".
The 25-year-old was then asked what he thought his next FIFA rating should be. Gabriel responded simply with "86."
The card below shows what Gabriel's FUT 24 item could look like if he was given the boost to 86 OVR that he so desires.
There's no doubt Gabriel has been one of the standout centre-backs in the Premier League this season but is an 86 OVR going one step too far?
The Gunners have kept the most sheets of any team in the English top flight during the 2022/23 campaign so far along with Newcastle.
Gabirel's partnership with young French centre-half William Saliba has been nothing short of exceptional and the pair could both be in line for significant upgrades this year.
We expect the Arsenal defensive duo to both be given 85 OVR or 86 OVR cards in the next game.
First of many?
There's no doubt Gabriel won't be the only Arsenal player to receive an upgrade, with almost the entire first team in line for ratings boosts this year.
Granit Xhaka's improvement under the Spanish boss has been remarkable. The Swiss midfielder has transformed himself into one of the best box-to-box centre-mids in world football.
Xhaka could be set for a +5 upgrade taking his new card to an 84 OVR.
The same goes for Oleksandr Zinchenko who has revolutionised the way this Arsenal team plays. The Ukranian 'full-back' could, like Xhaka, be boosted from a 79 OVR to an 84 OVR this year.
Brazilian winger Gabriel Martinelli is another player who has performed well beyond his rating of 78 OVR this season.
The 21-year-old has 13 goals and two assists to his name in the league this term, which could see him bumped up to 83 OVR.
The likes of Gabriel Jesus, Aaron Ramsdale and Ben White will all likely receive major upgrades too.
Arsenal on the up
When it comes to world-class players, three Arsenal players have put their names among the very best in European football and could be represented as such in FIFA 24.
Bukayo Saka is undoubtedly the best winger in the Premier League right now and one of the most dangerous attackers in world football.
The Hale End academy graduate has registered 12 goals and 10 assists in the PL this season and is the only player to hit double digits in both categories.
We expect Saka to be bumped up to 87 OVR in EA's next game, with his new card potentially boasting 89 Dribbling, 88 Pace, 86 Passing and 83 Shooting.
Martin Odegaard is another player that could reach the same overall rating as Saka, seeing his rating bumped up from the current number, 84.
The Norwegian playmaker has been one of the best CMs in the league this season alongside the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, with some arguing that the 24-year-old has trumped the Belgian maestro.
Ghana international Thomas Partey has proved himself to be one of the best holding midfielders in the division and will surely be boosted this year too.
The Arsenal number five could be the highest-rated player in the squad this year, with a potential overall rating of 88.