After a stunning 2023/24 campaign for Arsenal, the last thing that Mikel Arteta might’ve expected is one of his best players to admit that he can see himself playing elsewhere.
Ultimately, the Gunners fell agonisingly short of toppling Man City at the Premier League summit, but there were clear signs of improvement from the squad when compared with previous seasons.
One could argue that Arsenal’s failure to land the title last season whilst coming so close will only strengthen their resolve for the 2024/25 season.
Arteta could lose Arsenal warrior Gabriel
In order for them to remain competitive, however, they’ll need to keep all of their best players and add one or two experienced exponents to the squad.
One half of the best centre-back duo in the Premier League, Gabriel Magalhaes clearly has a wish to move on, however, discussing his love for Brazilian giants, Corinthians.
“Corinthians, that’s since I was born and today I don’t think it has to be any different. I still go to Corinthians games by train. It’s my dream, I want to play for Corinthians, I want to feel that energy,” he was quoted as saying by Mirror Sport.
“It’s something to think about. Sometimes I stop and think, ‘Do you dream of playing for Corinthians?’ I do. ‘When would you play for Corinthians?’ For me, I’d be at Corinthians tomorrow.
“I hope it doesn’t take too long because I want to feel the energy of those fans, who are incredible, as soon as possible.”
That admission will surely send shockwaves through the corridors of power at the Emirates Stadium, and may force Arteta into a rethink in the back line, even if the club believe that no players will leave them this summer.
Gabriel and William Saliba were rock solid throughout the previous campaign and were clearly a major reason why the Gunners came so close to landing a first English top-flight title since 2003/04.
If the pair remain injury free and Gabriel puts any notion of moving to Brazil aside for now, Arsenal will again be one of the hardest teams to beat in next season’s Premier League.
