Gabriel says things will be ‘different’ at Arsenal ‘after letting titles slip’

After revealing that they have “let a few titles slip through our fingers,” Gabriel Magalhaes predicts that this season will be different for Arsenal.

Since taking over the Gunners almost six years ago, Mikel Arteta has transformed the club, but in his first season in charge, the club won’t have won much silverware.

The Gunners finished second in the Premier League for three straight seasons, falling to eventual champions Paris St-Germain and Newcastle, respectively, in the semi-finals of the Champions League and Carabao Cup.

Last season, Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, and Gabriel Martinelli all spent protracted periods on the sidelines that severely hampered Arsenal’s attack.

With other recognized attackers out, midfielder Mikel Merino ended up playing as a makeshift center-forward, and striker Gabriel Jesus also had an anterior cruciate ligament injury that made up the majority of the campaign.

Merino did well this season, scoring seven goals in 28 Premier League games and helping Real Madrid win the Champions League.

Of course, the injuries allowed academy players Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri to join the first team, which wasn’t all bad for the Gunners.

Lewis-Skelly has since signed a new long-term contract and made his England debut.

Nwaneri, who has made nine goals in 37 appearances, is on the verge of accomplishing the same.

Gabriel, 27, told BBC Sport, “I don’t think we can make excuses.” In the last three years, we have done everything. We all believe we can win big titles, despite the fact that there may have been some bad luck.

When Arsenal kick off their Premier League campaign at Manchester United on August 17th, they will have a number of new faces in their squad, which has been busy in the transfer market.

Noni Madueke, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, and goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga have already been signed by the Gunners. Viktor Gyokeres and young defender Cristhian Mosquera are also in the process of being signed.

Zubimendi is one of Europe’s most highly regarded defensive midfielders.

Liverpool, the reigning Premier League champion, attempted to sign him last year, but he failed to do so as a half-time substitute for Spain’s win over England in the Euro 2024 final.

Now that Jorginho and Thomas Partey have left, Arsenal has also signed midfielder Norgaard from Brentford to add experience.

Madueke is regarded as the best Saka backup, but also a capable opponent on both wings, a contender for Martinelli’s position, and a player who can continue to improve his game.

Gabrielel said, “I think the players that came will help us out a lot.”

The club is doing what the manager and the players can both benefit from. We must concentrate on what we can do on the pitch, but they are undoubtedly trying their best to bring the best players who can assist us.

“The players are doing that,” the players claim. With these newcomers, we are strong and are strengthening.

It definitely makes me happy. The best players are what we want. You must have the best players to compete for titles.

Gyokeres’ expected arrival from Sporting will help Arsenal, who already had a 54-game winning streak last season.

Gabriel mimicked the forward’s celebration following his goal against Gyokeres in the Champions League’s 5-0 win over Sporting in November.

Gabriel said, “We all know he’s a great player, but he’s an Arsenal player, not a professional player.”

Gabriel injured a hamstring in April, making it impossible to play in his final weeks of last season. He underwent surgery to correct the issue, and he is currently recovering from his first season of running.

The Brazilian claims he didn’t hear anything “about links with a move to Saudi Arabia” when he signs a contract that will keep him at the club until 2029.

Arsenal seems confident in expressing their readiness to advance further and feel confident in announcing their readiness to lift a trophy publicly.

“I’ve been with the club for five years, and I’ve seen how much it has grown. “added Gabriel, who was speaking before the club’s pre-season tour, where the Gunners will face Newcastle on July 27 and AC Milan on July 23 in the Singapore Festival of Football.

I’m here to win big titles, and I think the upcoming season will be different. Recently, we’ve let a few titles slip through our fingers.