After many near misses, Arsenal ready to challenge for trophies again next season
Fresh from inking a new contract, Brazilian defender Gabriel Magalhaes says he is eager to steer the North London club to success
[SINGAPORE] Gabriel Magalhaes believes Arsenal’s return to Singapore, their first since 2018, marks a pivotal moment to build the foundations for a season that he’s convinced will deliver trophies to the London-based football club.
The Gunners (Arsenal’s nickname) will take part in this week’s Singapore Festival of Football, playing two major pre-season matches at the 55,000-seater National Stadium.
The week-long festival, presented by TEG Sport, is the first large-scale international football event hosted in Singapore since the inaugural edition in 2023.
First up is a clash against Italian giants AC Milan on Wednesday (Jul 23, 7.30 pm kickoff, Singapore time), followed by an open training session two days later before a showdown against fellow English Premier League (EPL) side Newcastle United on July 27.
Arsenal will then continue their Asia tour with a stop in Hong Kong to face North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur at the new Kai Tak Sports Park on July 31.
In a Zoom interview earlier this week, Magalhaes underlined the significance of the pre-season friendlies and Arsenal’s renewed ambitions.
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“We know that Singapore is a beautiful place,” he said through an English interpreter in Portuguese. “But we are going there to prepare ourselves for the (new) season. We have great games to play, and we are going to focus on what our manager (Mikel Arteta) tells us to do.”
This will mark Magalhaes’ first visit to the Lion City, as he was not part of the Arsenal squad that toured seven years ago.
Since joining the Gunners in 2020 from Ligue 1 side Lille, Gabi – as he is affectionately known to his teammates and fans – has become a key figure in defence, known for his physicality, tactical awareness and emerging leadership.
He has made 210 appearances in all competitions to date, becoming a cornerstone of the Gunners’ backline while also scoring 20 goals.
The 27-year-old has formed a formidable partnership with Frenchman William Saliba in Arsenal’s central defence, and the Gunners have conceded the fewest goals in the EPL over the past two seasons.
Magalhaes recently reaffirmed his commitment to the club by signing a new contract that will last until 2029, citing his firm belief in the team’s trajectory.
“I’ve been at the club for five years now, and I’ve seen how much the club has grown. I am here to win titles – big titles,” he said. “We have let a couple of chances slip through our fingers recently but I think this season will be different and I have a lot of faith in that.”
That ambition is mirrored in Arsenal’s transfer strategy this summer.
With confirmed new signings like Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard and Kepa Arrizabalaga already in training with the team, Magalhaes expressed confidence in the club’s direction.
“The new players that came will help us a lot and we are getting stronger with them. The club is definitely doing their best to bring in the right people who can bring us to the next level,” he said.
When asked what advice he gives to new teammates, he said: “I always tell them to really focus and adapt quickly. They’ve already adapted and are gelling with us, so I think that this year we can achieve great things and titles.”
Fit and ready
Magalhaes, who has recovered from a hamstring injury in April, gave the assurance that he’s fit and ready to start the new season. The Gunners will open their 2025/26 EPL season with a difficult trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United on Aug 17.
“I already feel really good. I’ve been training hard with the group. The season will be full of challenges, but I’m ready to hit the ground running,” he said.
He also acknowledged the fine margins that have kept the Gunners from lifting silverware in recent years. Arsenal finished second in the EPL for a third consecutive season in May, marking just the fifth time in English top-flight history that a team have finished runner-up three years in a row.
“I feel like we had a little bit of bad luck sometimes, but we all believe that we can win big titles,” he said.
Having grown into a leadership role at Arsenal, Magalhaes sees this Asia tour as more than just preparation. “I’ve grown a lot on and off the pitch. One thing I’ve improved is my leadership… I feel like I’m on a good level and want to keep pushing in this direction,” he said.
Asked about the ongoing rumours of him receiving offers to play in other leagues, the Brazilian remained unfazed. “I didn’t receive any offers personally. A lot of things are said online, but I’m focused on Arsenal. That’s why I signed the contract,” he said.
Tickets for the Singapore Festival of Football can be purchased at Ticketek.
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