Gabriel Magalhães to sign new Arsenal deal: Berta anchors long-term strategy in defence

Arsenal are close to finalising a new long-term contract with Gabriel Magalhães, aiming to preserve the defensive structure that Mikel Arteta has built over the past two seasons. According to BBC Sport, negotiations have reached an advanced stage, and a full agreement is expected to be completed shortly.

Berta begins internal reset with Gabriel at the centre

Since taking over as sporting director in March, Andrea Berta has prioritised Gabriel’s renewal as the first major step in reshaping Arsenal’s long-term strategy. As reported by The Athletic, Berta sees the Brazilian centre-back not only as a tactical asset but also as a cultural cornerstone of the squad. Having previously crafted a defensively robust identity at Atlético Madrid, Berta is now working to implement a similar structure at Arsenal, with Gabriel at its foundation.

From Lille to leadership

Gabriel joined Arsenal from Lille in September 2020 for €26 million. While he initially faced competition for a starting spot, he emerged as one of the club’s most important players during the 2023–24 season. From September 2023 onwards, he formed one of the Premier League’s most consistent centre-back partnerships alongside William Saliba. His impact extended beyond defensive solidity — he contributed crucial goals from set-pieces and played a central role in Arsenal’s build-up play from the back.

Commanding presence in 2024–25

In the current 2024–25 campaign, Gabriel has continued to lead from the back. He has featured in 42 matches across all competitions so far, scoring 5 goals and providing 3 assists, underlining his importance not just in defence but also during offensive phases, particularly on dead-ball situations.

The Saliba–Gabriel axis: Arteta’s foundation

Gabriel’s partnership with William Saliba has become the backbone of Arteta’s system. Their blend of physical dominance, tactical intelligence, and ball-playing ability ranks among the most balanced defensive duos in England. In Arteta’s high-tempo system, centre-backs are not just stoppers but initiators of play. Gabriel is one of the few defenders in Europe who consistently excels at both roles.

The Independent reported in March 2024 that Real Madrid are monitoring Saliba as a potential long-term successor to Antonio Rüdiger. With interest from Madrid intensifying, securing Gabriel’s future gives Arsenal strategic insurance. While Saliba’s contract runs until 2027, as confirmed by Arsenal’s official announcement and The Athletic, the club is expected to begin early extension talks to avoid long-term uncertainty.

Contract strategy enters next phase

Gabriel’s new deal marks the first move in a broader internal renewal strategy. According to The Athletic, Arsenal plan to open talks with Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli ahead of the 2025–26 season, aiming to protect squad stability before any outside interest arises. Though departures are not expected imminently, the club is keen to take proactive control of all long-term contracts.

The same report notes that Takehiro Tomiyasu, Leandro Trossard, and Oleksandr Zinchenko, all of whom are contracted until 2026, are also expected to enter extension talks before the new season begins. The club sees this as a vital step in maintaining internal cohesion as they prepare for a competitive campaign across multiple fronts.

Ambition built on continuity

Gabriel’s renewal is directly tied to Arsenal’s ambitions for the 2025–26 season, where the club aims to make a deeper run in the Champions League and remain a consistent title challenger in the Premier League. Keeping structural players like Gabriel is no longer a preference — it is now a strategic necessity.