Arsenal have begun to build a squad that will develop and grow together. Mikel Arteta has his core back four and goalkeeper but there is a threat of the group being broken apart. Arteta has added Takehiro Tomiyasu, Ben White and Aaron Ramsdale to Gabriel Magalhaes who he signed for Arsenal the year before. However, the Brazilian defender is the subject of interest from abroad and reports suggest Arsenal might be open to a deal. However, it is not this transfer rivalry that will stop the deal, that specifically lies with both Arsenal and Gabriel. Arsenal do not want to sell Gabriel and Arteta has already spoken about keeping the best players at the club.
Mikel Arteta said: “Well, what we have to be really prepared (for) is when we are going to do that and why are we going to do that. We can control those timings and we have the decision making on when is the right time to do it, and be prepared for that. So sometimes it is negative because you cannot offer the same competition level as they have been offered, or because you think it is the right moment to make a move. But in principle we want to maintain our best players and keep them and get better.”
Meanwhile, CBS Sports have previously reported that Arsenal are planning on offering the defender a new deal. His current contract expires in 2025 meaning he would have just the one year left at the end of next season. Gabriel has already spoken recently about how Arsenal is his ‘home’ now. He has become an integral part of the club’s makeup and does not look close to leaving.
Gabriel said: “Well in my first season I certainly learnt a lot. It’s been a real challenge here and I am more and more settled every day. I feel better and better with each passing game. At the same time, we know we all can’t be perfect in every match. We do make mistakes. But I feel good, I feel at home at Arsenal. It’s a great squad to be a part of and together I am sure we can achieve a lot. I am very happy here.”
Gabriel will have more competition next season though, with William Saliba returning to the side. The Frenchman claimed the young player of the season award for Ligue 1 whilst with Marseille. He will return aiming to fight his way past either Gabriel or White, using his versatility to play on either side to his advantage. The first glimpse of seeing them together will likely be in the pre-season tour of the United States.
