It’s been close to five years since Arsenal last won a trophy, but Gabriel Magalhaes, a key defender for the team, believes that the upcoming season could be a fresh start for the club.
A central defender for Arsenal, who just extended his contract with the team until 2029, shared in a recent interview before the team’s pre-season trip to Singapore that he believes this upcoming season will be “different.” He expressed excitement about the new players joining the team.
Arsenal Arrive in Singapore for Pre-Season
Arsenal landed in Singapore on July 20 to start getting ready for the new season. They will participate in two friendly games as part of the Singapore Festival of Football, a unique occasion.
On July 23, Mikel Arteta’s team will play against the famous Italian soccer club AC Milan at the National Stadium. Two days later, they will hold a public training session at the same stadium, where fans can come and watch. After that, on July 27, they will take on Newcastle United, the reigning champions of the English League Cup.
Gabriel Magalhaes on Arsenal’s Growth and New Signings
Gabriel, 27, shared through a translator: “I’ve been with the club for five years, and I’ve watched how much it has grown and improved during that time.”
Arsenal’s Trophy Ambition for 2025-26
“I’m focused on achieving success and winning championships. I genuinely believe that this season is going to be a turning point.”
We’ve let a few opportunities to win slip away from us lately. We came close before, but I believe this year will be different. I am convinced that we can succeed.
Arsenal’s Near Misses in 2024-25 Campaign
In the 2024-25 season, Arsenal aimed to compete for the English Premier League title once again, similar to the previous year. However, they ultimately fell short and ended up finishing second in the league, 10 points behind the top team, Liverpool. The Gunners also experienced early FA Cup exits after losing in the third round, and they advanced to the semi-finals but lost in the League Cup and the Champions League.
Trophy drought since 2020 FA Cup Win
Under coach Mikel Arteta, Arsenal has made improvements, but those efforts have not yet led to winning significant trophies. The only major victory during his time since December 2019 is the FA Cup in 2020.
Gabriel Magalhaes on Arsenal’s Trophy Drought Efforts
When asked about the missing part of the situation, Gabriel emphasized that it wasn’t due to a lack of trying. He said, “We put in all our effort over the past few years.”
“I think we’ve faced some tough moments, but we all believe we can achieve great success. The pre-season has begun, and we’re concentrating on following our coach’s guidance and focusing on what we need to work on and get better at.”
I think this year will be different.
Arsenal’s Transfer Activity for New Season
The Gunners, looking to win their first top league championship since 2004, are actively working to strengthen their team by making exciting new player signings. This shows their commitment and eagerness to succeed in the upcoming season.
Martin Zubimendi, a midfielder, was acquired from Real Sociedad for approximately £55 million (roughly S$95.6 million). They also paid an initial £10 million to bring in Christian Norgaard, the captain of Brentford. Additionally, they welcomed England winger Noni Madueke from Chelsea with a long-term deal that is said to be worth around £48 million.
Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres, who plays for Sporting Lisbon, had an impressive season last year, scoring 54 goals. He is rumored to be nearing a transfer to Arsenal, with reports suggesting the deal could be worth over €70 million, which is about S$104.6 million.
Gabriel’s Excitement About New Arsenal Players
Gabriel expressed his excitement about the new signings by saying, “I’m really thrilled! Our goal is to assemble the top players possible. We’re pleased with everyone we have and the new additions, and we believe the club is heading in the right direction.”
Impact of Gabriel’s Hamstring Injury Last Season
Gabriel has become an essential player since he joined the team from Lille for £27 million in 2020.
Arsenal’s struggle in the English Premier League happened around the same time Gabriel suffered a serious hamstring injury that ended his season. In the eight games he couldn’t play during that period, Arsenal was only able to win three times.
Arsenal’s Pre-Season Training Focus in Singapore
He is excited and ready to start the new campaign. He said, “I’ve been working really hard with the team already. This season will have its challenges, but I feel good and am eager to get going and play.”
While Arsenal previously visited Singapore in 2018 for a competition known as the International Champions Cup, where they faced Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid, Milan will be making their first trip there. The last time the Magpies played in Singapore was back in 1996 when they faced a team of the best players from the local league.
Gabriel Magalhaes on Singapore Visit and Team Focus
We know that it’s a beautiful place, but we’re going to go there to prepare ourselves for the season ahead, Gabriel, who is visiting Singapore for the first time, stated.
We’re going to play some fantastic games. We shall focus on the tasks that our manager gives us instructions on. However, we shall explore the lovely city if we have free time.
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