Arsenal is taking steps to further strengthen their squad by focusing on securing a new contract for key defender Gabriel Magalhães, following the recent extension of manager Mikel Arteta’s contract. This move reflects the club’s commitment to keeping its core players, especially with interest in Gabriel from top European clubs like Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
On Thursday, Arsenal completed an important deal by extending Arteta’s contract until the summer of 2027. With the manager’s long-term future now secure, the club has shifted its attention to reinforcing the squad’s foundation, ensuring players like Gabriel remain central to their plans.
Gabriel joined Arsenal from Lille four years ago for £27 million and has since been vital in transforming Arsenal’s defense. When he arrived, the team’s defense was marked by inconsistency, leading to a poor eighth-place finish and 48 goals conceded in the 2019-20 season. Under Arteta’s leadership, however, Gabriel has developed into one of the Premier League’s top defenders, helping to form a rock-solid defense.
His partnership with William Saliba has been particularly crucial to Arsenal’s recent success. Last season, the team conceded just 29 goals, the fewest in the league, thanks in large part to this defensive pairing. Gabriel’s growth as a player has been impressive, as he has eliminated many of his earlier mistakes, and his left-footedness has brought balance to the defense.
Now, Arsenal is looking to reward Gabriel with a new long-term contract, despite his current deal running until 2027. The club is eager to fend off potential interest from rival teams, including Barcelona and Bayern Munich. Barcelona, in particular, has a history of luring Arsenal stars, such as Thierry Henry and Cesc Fàbregas.
Preliminary negotiations between Gabriel and Arsenal have already started, and the club is hopeful of securing a new deal before the year ends. Gabriel, who has improved significantly since joining from Dynamo Zagreb, remains an essential player for Arteta’s side, especially with the high-profile North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur approaching.
Arteta, following his contract extension, expressed pride and enthusiasm about the future, acknowledging the positive influence of Arsenal’s fans. As Arsenal prepares for crucial fixtures, securing Gabriel’s future will be key to maintaining their defensive strength and stability, further emphasizing the club’s ambition to challenge for major titles.
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