Arsenal centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes says the coming campaign must be the one in which the club finally converts years of progress into silverware. After a sequence of near-misses, he has challenged team-mates to channel recent frustration into a definitive trophy push in 2025/26.
Arsenal have finished runners-up in the Premier League three years running and reached the semi-finals of both the Champions League and Carabao Cup last season. Gabriel, who missed the run-in with a hamstring issue, rejects the notion that bad luck alone explains falling short; he believes the group has absorbed hard lessons and can no longer offer excuses.
Injuries undeniably stretched resources. Extended absences for Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli disrupted rhythm, while a prolonged ACL layoff for Gabriel Jesus forced improvisation at centre-forward. Midfielder Mikel Merino filled the role, returning seven league goals in 28 appearances and delivering a vital Champions League strike against Real Madrid. The crisis also accelerated academy pathways: Myles Lewis-Skelly stepped in, earned a senior England debut and signed a long-term contract, while Ethan Nwaneri is close to following suit after scoring nine goals in 37 senior appearances.
Recruitment has been aggressive in response. Versatile winger Noni Madueke adds competition on both flanks. Martin Zubimendi, fresh from Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph, is expected to anchor midfield alongside Christian Norgaard, brought in to offset the departures of Jorginho and Thomas Partey. Goalkeeping depth has been reinforced with Kepa Arrizabalaga. Talks for striker Viktor Gyokeres and defender Cristhian Mosquera are understood to be progressing, moves that would further deepen competition across the spine of the squad.
Gabriel recently extended his deal through 2029 and has played down speculation about a move abroad, reiterating that he is committed to winning in North London. He stresses that matching ambition with elite talent is essential if Arsenal are to convert potential into prizes. The club’s most recent major honour remains the 2020 FA Cup; ending that drought now frames the season’s central mission.
Arsenal open their league schedule away to Manchester United on 17 August after a pre-season tour that includes Singapore and Hong Kong. Gabriel’s message to supporters is straightforward: the groundwork is laid, the squad is maturing, and the margins that once proved cruel can be flipped. Consistency, ruthlessness and depth will decide whether optimism finally becomes history.
