Gabriel Magalhaes revealed the ‘amazing’ Arsenal star who was ‘too strong’ for him in training

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Arsenal will be delighted that they are close to agreeing a new contract with Gabriel Magalhaes.

Gabriel’s new Arsenal contract is in ‘advanced talks’ as the Brazilian closes in on a deal to extend his stay at the Emirates Stadium until June 2030.

Fans are delighted with Gabriel’s extension and have now urged Andrea Berta to finalise a new contract with his centre back partner William Saliba.

Gabriel Martinelli looks up to Magalhaes and would call his Brazilian teammate if ever he got in a physical confrontation! However, it seems there is one member of Arsenal’s squad that is even ‘too strong’ for the commanding centre back.

READ MORE: Early Arsenal predictions for the 2025-26 season including Ethan Nwaneri rise and Frank Lampard regen

Gabriel Magalhaes claimed Bukayo Saka is ‘too strong’ for him

Speaking to Premier League Uncut back in 2023, Gabriel claimed that teammate Bukayo Saka was ‘too strong’ for him during training sessions.

Gabriel stated: “For me, he’s had the best moment. He’s so good. If I’m the defender who plays against him, my head is in trouble. Because he’s so hard, too strong 1v1. He helps the team a lot and you see this season and last season, he’s so good.”

Martinelli loves Saka too and hailed the winger as ‘amazing’ and among the ‘best players in the world’ during a recent interview.

It appears the Hale End star is stronger than he looks, especially given that Gabriel is one of the most physically feared players in Mikel Arteta’s side.

Bukayo Saka will benefit from Arsenal’s pursuit of Benjamin Sesko

Benjamin Sesko is keen to join Arsenal this summer and finally end the Gunners’ search for a natural number nine.

Saka will be a huge beneficiary of Sesko’s arrival as the winger now has an out and out target to play off and find with his deliveries from wide areas.

Despite missing over three months of the campaign, Saka still hit double figures in terms of goals and assists for the Gunners and with Sesko in the side, those numbers will rise considerably.

Much has been spoken about Arsenal’s need for attacking reinforcement but they did not have a fully fit Saka available for most of the campaign, if that changes, Arteta’s side are in business.