Arsenal star Gabriel Magalhaes is set to sign a new long-term contract at the club, which will see him stay in North London until 2030.
Andrea Berta is close to tying Gabriel down to a fresh deal, with the Brazilian expected to garner a huge pay rise in the process.
Gunners fans are delighted that Gabriel is committing his future to Arsenal, as he’s become one of the key members of Mikel Arteta’s back line and one of the prominent leaders in the dressing room.
With that said, here are four players who may be impacted by the centre-back’s new contract.
Winners from Gabriel Magalhaes’ potential new contract
William Saliba
The most obvious player who will benefit from this contract is William Saliba.
Saliba and Gabriel have formed a formidable partnership at the heart of Arsenal’s defence, and the pair are imperious when sat next to each other.
The Frenchman is the cool and composed man who sweeps in behind, while Gabriel is the front-footed aggressor, and this duo has been central to the Gunners’ defensive success in the last two seasons.
Saliba will be ecstatic that his partner in crime will spend another five years at the Emirates, and this could prompt him to sign his own new deal.
Myles Lewis-Skelly
Like Saliba, Myles Lewis-Skelly is deployed right next to Gabriel and will feel the positive impact of having such an imposing defender next to him.
As Lewis-Skelly inverts into midfield and vacates the left-back spot, Gabriel covers that area defensively, and is one of the best central defenders in world football at defending wide isolated areas.
The Brazil international is the perfect man to help guide the young full-back through matches and shows him the ropes as he develops in that position.
Losers from Gabriel Magalhaes’ potential new Arsenal contract
Jakub Kiwior
Jakub Kiwior has been described as ‘incredible’ in recent weeks, praised for his outstanding displays in Arsenal’s run to the Champions League semi-final.
However, his inclusion in the Gunners’ team was merely a result of Gabriel’s injury lay-off, and as soon as the 27-year-old returns from his setback, Kiwior will drop straight to the bench.
This new deal may even prompt Arsenal to sell the Pole in this window, with several clubs in Italy interested in signing him.
Despite being a very good player in his own right, Kiwior is never going to play regularly while Gabriel is plying his trade in N5.
Riccardo Calafiori
When Arsenal signed Riccardo Calafiori, Arteta likely thought he’d use the Italian as a centre-back from time to time, given that’s where he’s spent the majority of his career.
However, with Gabriel fit right until the final portion of the season, and Calafiori constantly in and out with injury, this never materialised.
The 23-year-old may have hoped for some minutes at the heart of Arsenal’s defence next season, now that Lewis-Skelly is firmly ahead of him in the left-back pecking order, but this now seems unlikely with Gabriel committing his future.
Calafiori will have to fight for his place at left-back.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
