London: Gabriel Magalhaes believes this season "will be different" for Arsenal after admitting they have "let a couple of titles slip through our fingers" in recent years. Mikel Arteta has transformed the Gunners since taking over almost six years ago, but they have not won major silverware since their FA Cup success in 2020 - his first season in charge.
According to BBC Sport, the Gunners have finished second in the Premier League for three successive years and lost in the semi-finals of both the Champions League and Carabao Cup last season - to eventual winners Paris St-Germain and Newcastle respectively. Striker Gabriel Jesus also missed a large part of the campaign with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, leading to midfielder Mikel Merino stepping in as a makeshift centre-forward.
Merino contributed significantly by scoring seven times in 28 Premier League games and netting an important goal against Real Madrid in the Champions League. However, Arteta aims to avoid repeating such scenarios this season. Despite challenges, the injuries allowed academy products Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri to break into the first team, with Lewis-Skelly making his debut for England and signing a long-term deal, and Nwaneri nearing a similar agreement after scoring nine goals in 37 appearances.
Gabriel, 27, expressed confidence in the team's potential, stating, "I don’t think we can give excuses. We did everything we could in the last three years. I feel like we had a little bit of bad luck sometimes, but we all believe that we can win big titles. We’re focused on what our manager is telling us to do, and what we have to improve. I think this year will be different."
Arsenal has been active in the transfer market, signing winger Noni Madueke, midfielders Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard, and goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga. They are also working to finalize transfers for striker Viktor Gyokeres and young defender Cristhian Mosquera. Zubimendi, one of Europe's most highly rated defensive midfielders, played a crucial role in Spain's Euro 2024 final victory over England. Alongside him, Norgaard's experience will bolster the midfield following Jorginho and Thomas Partey's departures.
Gabriel is optimistic about the new signings, stating, "I think the players that came will help us out a lot. The club is doing what is best for the players and the manager. We are strong and we are getting stronger with these new players. Definitely, it excites me. We want to have the best players. To be in the dispute for titles, you have to have the best players."
Arsenal anticipates Gyokeres' arrival from Sporting to bring goals, with the Swede scoring 54 in 52 games last season. Gabriel, who has played against Gyokeres, mimicked the forward's celebration after scoring in Arsenal's 5-0 win over Sporting in the Champions League. "We all know he is a great player, but he is a Sporting player, not an Arsenal player," Gabriel remarked.
Despite missing the final weeks of last season due to a hamstring injury, Gabriel has signed a contract extending his stay at the club until 2029, dismissing any transfer rumors. Arsenal's confidence is growing, with Gabriel asserting, "I am here to win big titles and I do believe that this season will be different. We have let a couple of titles slip through our fingers recently. We almost won but I think this year, things will be different. I have a lot of faith in that."