Gabriel Magalhaes responds to William Saliba’s gesture ahead of Arsenal return
William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes’ rock-solid combination in central defence for Arsenal is also present off the pitch.
Plenty of change is planned at the Emirates this summer as Arsenal aim to avoid a fourth straight season of finishing second in the Premier League, having failed to close the 10-point gap on Liverpool last term.
Mikel Arteta‘s side have lost out in the last three title races by five, two and 10 points respectively, and Arsenal are under pressure to close and finally overcome that gap with a summer of significant spending.
That transfer spend is set to be concentrated in the final third after Arsenal’s lack of an out-and-out number nine was made clear last season, with no need to upgrade on Gabriel and Saliba at the back.
Saliba sends Gabriel message away from Arsenal
Gabriel and Saliba have been immovable in central defence for Arsenal across the last three seasons, and the duo are arguably the first names on the team sheet when fit as the cornerstone of Arteta’s team.
Only David Raya made more appearances than Saliba’s 51 in all competitions in 2024/25, but Gabriel’s campaign was cut short by a hamstring injury which ruled him out of their last eight league games.
Gabriel is firmly on the mend as Arsenal prepare to return to London Colney for pre-season, and Saliba has shown support for his long-time team mate as the two met up for an off-season gym session.
The 27-year-old posted a photo on his Instagram story (24 June) of Saliba sporting a “GABRIEL 4′ Brazil jersey, and tagged the Frenchman alongside a ‘heart eyes’ emoji to thank him for the gesture.
Arsenal in race against time to complete crucial transfers
Football Insider Verdict
Any worries that the Saliba–Gabriel partnership could be broken up this summer were quashed after the Brazilian signed a new contract to rule out a switch to Al-Nassr, and Arteta’s key foundation will stay put.
Defensive changes are planned at the Emirates this summer as Arsenal prepare to accept offers for both Jakub Kiwior and Oleksandr Zinchenko, but fans’ full focus is on their incomings further up the pitch.
A new striker is top of the agenda as Arsenal weigh up whether to move for Benjamin Sesko or Viktor Gyokeres, but the longer the Gunners stall on a headline number nine signing, the more time their rivals have to potentially beat them to it.