Arsenal have secured the services of Brazilian defender Gabriel Magalhaes for another four years.
Gabriel put pen to paper on a new long-term deal this week, with the contract announced on Friday morning.
The imperious centre-back expressed his love for the North London club upon signing the new deal, committing his future to the Gunners until 2029.
Andrea Berta’s first piece of business as Arsenal’s new sporting director, the Italian will now look to tie down the likes of William Saliba, Bukayo Saka and Myles Lewis-Skelly.
Arsenal fans react to Gabriel Magalhaes’ new contract
Gabriel ended the season injured, sustaining a hamstring tear back in April in a game against Fulham.
Before being sidelined, the Brazilian was arguably one of Arsenal’s most consistent players during the 2024/25 season, and thus, it’s no surprise that the Gunners supporters were over the moon when hearing that he’d signed a new deal.
One fan wrote on X: “Gabriel renewing is such good news. He’s become a real leader in this Arsenal team and one of the best defenders in world football. Someone who truly loves defending and when our backs are against the wall, or we need an impact – there’s nobody I trust more than him. Delighted.”
Another added: “I’d put Gabriel in the top 5 CB’s in the world. His form over the past two seasons, especially, has been outstanding; he’s developed into a fine player & leader. Aside from the obvious benefits of him signing, it shows the belief within the group they can achieve big things at AFC.”
One supporter wrote: “If Gabriel has a million fans, then I am one of them. If Gabriel has only one fan, then that is me. If Gabriel has no fans, then that means I am no longer on earth. If the world is against Gabriel, then I am against the world.”
Meanwhile, another fan claimed that it was poetic that Gabriel is the first Arsenal player to extend his contract, given he was Mikel Arteta’s first permanent signing: “Gabriel was the first to believe in this project so it just makes so much sense that he’s also the first to extend this summer & continue his belief in the club. Let’s make these next 4 years count.”
Andrea Berta needs to tie down William Saliba as soon as possible
Gabriel’s commitment to Arsenal was never in doubt; the former Lille man has found his home in North London and was never going to go anywhere else.
On the other hand, Saliba has been linked with Real Madrid, and there are genuine fears that the Frenchman may swap N5 for the Bernabeu.
Saliba has two years remaining on his contract at Arsenal, and thus, it’s imperative that Berta ties the 23-year-old down to a new deal as soon as possible.
The longer the ex-Marseille man hasn’t committed his long-term future to the Gunners, the more likely he ends up leaving North London for Los Blancos in the near future.
Saliba and Gabriel come as a partnership, with the two players getting the best out of each other at the heart of the Arsenal defence.
It’s absolutely essential for the continuation of Arteta’s project that he has both players at his disposal for several more years.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
