24-year-old 'more than happy' at Arsenal despite interest from Juventus and Barcelona: Reports
Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes is happy at the club despite interest from Juventus and Barcelona, according to reports.
The 24-year-old centre-back has become a key part of Mikel Arteta's back four since his arrival from Lille in 2020. The Brazilian has made 34 appearances for the Gunners this season.
Gabriel scored his fourth Arsenal goal of the campaign during their hard-fought 2-1 win at West Ham United on Sunday afternoon (May 1). The result moved them back above north London rivals Tottenham into fourth place.
The CBs are at it! š
Gabriel grabs our second and we lead again at the London Stadium! š
āļø 1-2 š” (54)
#WHUARS https://t.co/zgygyy0ZuY
Daily Express journalist Ryan Taylor has now reported that the Brazilian international is more than happy at the Emirates Stadium. He added that Gabriel is fully focused on helping his side secure their first top-four finish since the 2015-16 season.
Gabriel MagalhĆ£es is more than happy at Arsenal despite firm interest from both Juventus & Barcelona. His full focus is on helping #AFC secure top-four finish & furthermore, consolidating his place in Brazilās World Cup squad.
Gabriel has started 91% of his team's Premier League encounters across the current term, with only five teams conceding fewer in the top-flight in that time.
Arsenal are under no pressure to sell the left-footed defender, who is still under contract at the club until 2025.
Mikel Arteta heaps praise on Gabriel's Arsenal teammate
The Brazilian's centre-half partner Rob Holding scored the Gunners' first goal in Sunday's victory at the London Stadium, his first ever in the Premier League.
Holding was a late replacement for Ben White, who withdrew due to a tight hamstring. The Spaniard lauded the deputizing Holding, who made just his 12th top-flight appearance of the campaign.
Following the London derby win, Arteta said, as per The Metro:
"Rob Holding was great. He was the man of the match. He scored a goal and his contribution overall, whether he plays or does not. He is a joy to have."
It was a far from a vintage display from the Gunners, who struggled to see off a spirited West Ham side. The Hammers made several changes ahead of their Europa League semi-final second-leg at Eintracht Frankfurt.
Arteta praised the spirit of his players following the gutsy win and said:
"You have to find a way to win and today we won ugly. We have to recognize that is the way we had done it. We showed incredible spirit because when we could play the way we wanted to play we had to find a way to play the way they prefer. We adapted."
"You have to find a way to win all the time to win, forcing mistakes, being brilliant, digging in, clean sheets. I am really happy, especially for Rob Holding as he hasnāt played the amount of minutes he deserves. He was the man of the match today. He is always there when we need him."
Chelseaā66 points (34 games)
Arsenalā63 points (34 games)
Spursā61 points (34 games)
Man Utdā55 points (35 games)
Chelsea pulled back in the top four race š¬ https://t.co/Byh1MLUHWi