Gabriel dos Santos Magalhães, simply known as Gabriel, has firmly established himself as a pivotal figure in Arsenal’s defensive line since his arrival in North London. Born on December 19, 1997, in São Paulo, Brazil, the towering centre-back has become synonymous with strength, aerial prowess, and a tenacious defensive spirit. This article delves into his career trajectory, playing style, and the key aspects that have made him a fan favourite and a crucial component of Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal squad.
Early Career and Move to Europe
Gabriel’s footballing journey began in his native Brazil, where he honed his skills in the youth ranks of Avaí FC. In 2016, he made his senior debut for the club, playing a significant role in their promotion to the Brasileiro Série A. His impressive performances in Brazil caught the attention of European scouts, and in January 2017, he made the move across the Atlantic to join French side Lille.
At Lille, Gabriel initially featured for the club’s reserve team before gradually breaking into the first-team setup. Loan spells at Troyes and Croatian giants Dinamo Zagreb provided him with valuable experience and exposure to different footballing cultures. It was upon his return to Lille in 2018 that he truly began to showcase his potential. Forming a formidable partnership in the heart of the Lille defence, Gabriel’s commanding presence and defensive capabilities became increasingly evident, attracting interest from top clubs across Europe.
Arrival at Arsenal and Immediate Impact
In September 2020, Arsenal secured the signing of Gabriel on a five-year contract. His arrival was met with considerable anticipation, as the Gunners looked to solidify their defence. Gabriel made an immediate impact on his Premier League debut, scoring Arsenal’s second goal in a 3-0 victory against Fulham. His strong aerial ability and no-nonsense defending quickly endeared him to the Arsenal faithful.
Gabriel’s debut season saw him establish himself as a mainstay in the Arsenal defence, forming a solid partnership with various teammates. His performances earned him the club’s Player of the Month award for September 2020, highlighting the instant influence he had on the team. Despite a red card against Southampton later in the season, his overall contribution was significant, providing much-needed stability to the Arsenal backline.
Growing Stature and Key Contributions
Over the subsequent seasons, Gabriel’s importance to Arsenal has only grown. He has consistently featured prominently, demonstrating his reliability and developing his game under the guidance of Mikel Arteta. His physicality in duels, both on the ground and in the air, coupled with his improving positional awareness, have made him a formidable opponent for attackers.
The 2021-22 season saw Gabriel further cement his place as a key player, featuring in all but three of Arsenal’s Premier League matches and contributing five goals, showcasing his threat from set-pieces. His passion and commitment on the pitch resonated with the fans, solidifying his status as a crucial member of the squad.
The following 2022-23 campaign witnessed another consistent run of performances from the Brazilian defender. He played in every Premier League game, scoring three goals and continuing to be a dominant force in the air and a key figure in Arsenal’s defensive structure as they mounted a serious title challenge.
The 2023-24 season was particularly noteworthy for Gabriel. He formed a formidable central defensive partnership and was recognized for his outstanding contributions by being named in the PFA Team of the Year. He also reached his 100th Premier League appearance for Arsenal during this season, a testament to his consistent presence and importance to the team. He scored four league goals, including his first brace for the club against Crystal Palace.
The current 2024-25 season has seen Gabriel continue as a vital cog in the Arsenal machine. Despite a recent hamstring injury that required surgery in April 2025 and is expected to keep him sidelined for the remainder of the season and potentially the start of the next, his contributions prior to the injury were significant. He had already featured in 28 Premier League matches, scoring three goals and providing one assist, as well as playing a key role in Arsenal’s Champions League campaign, where he scored one goal in nine appearances as the Gunners reached the semi-finals.
Style of Play and Strengths
Gabriel is renowned for his robust and aggressive defending. His imposing physical presence and height (1.90m or 6 ft 3 in) make him a dominant force in aerial duels, both defensively in clearing threats and offensively in attacking set-pieces, as evidenced by his numerous headed goals for Arsenal.
Key strengths of Gabriel’s game include:
Aerial Prowess: His ability to win headers in both penalty boxes is a significant asset for Arsenal.
Strength and Tackling: He is a strong tackler and is not easily beaten in physical duels.
Aggression and Determination: Gabriel plays with a fierce competitive spirit and a desire to win every ball.
Blocking: He demonstrates a strong ability to block opposition shots, protecting the goal.
Improving Distribution: While primarily a defender, Gabriel has shown improvements in his passing range and ability to play the ball out from the back.
International Career
Gabriel’s performances at club level have also earned him recognition on the international stage. He represented Brazil at the U20 level in the 2017 South American U-20 Championship. He also featured for the Brazil U23 team.
In 2023, Gabriel made his senior debut for the Brazilian national team and scored his first international goal against Venezuela in October of the same year. He was part of Brazil’s squad for the 2024 Copa America held in the USA, further solidifying his place in the national team setup. To date, he has earned 14 caps for Brazil, scoring one goal.
Personal Life
Gabriel is married to Gabrielle Figueiredo, and they welcomed their first child, a daughter named Maya, in April 2023. His family provides a strong support system for him throughout his career. He is known to keep his personal life relatively private but often shares glimpses of his family on social media.
FAQs
Who is Gabriel Magalhães?
Gabriel dos Santos Magalhães is a Brazilian professional footballer born on December 19, 1997, in São Paulo. Standing at 1.90 meters, he plays as a left-footed center-back for Arsenal FC and the Brazil national team. Known for his strength, aerial prowess, and aggressive defending, Gabriel has been a key figure in Arsenal’s defense since joining in 2020.
What is Gabriel’s current club and contract status?
Gabriel has been with Arsenal since September 2020, signing a contract that runs until June 2027. As of May 2025, Arsenal is actively working to extend his contract further, amidst interest from clubs like Real Madrid and Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr.
What are Gabriel’s stats for the 2024/25 season?
In the 2024/25 Premier League season, Gabriel made 28 appearances, all as a starter, totaling 2,365 minutes. He scored 3 goals, provided 1 assist, contributed to 10 clean sheets, and recorded 7 blocked shots.
Has Gabriel been injured recently?
Yes, Gabriel suffered a hamstring injury in April 2025, ruling him out for the remainder of the season, including the Champions League semi-finals.
What is Gabriel’s international career like?
Gabriel made his senior debut for Brazil in 2023 and has since earned 14 caps, scoring once. He was part of Brazil’s squad for the 2024 Copa América held in the USA.
What is Gabriel’s market value?
As of December 2024, Gabriel’s estimated market value stands at €75 million, making him one of the most valuable defenders globally.
Are there any transfer rumors involving Gabriel?
Yes, Gabriel has attracted interest from clubs like Real Madrid and Al-Nassr. However, Arsenal is keen to retain him and is reportedly demanding offers exceeding €100 million.
What honors has Gabriel achieved with Arsenal?
Gabriel has won the FA Community Shield with Arsenal in 2023. Individually, he was named in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year for the 2023/24 season.
What is Gabriel’s playing style?
Gabriel is known for his aggressive defending, aerial dominance, and strong tackling. His left-footedness adds balance to Arsenal’s defense, and he often contributes to set-pieces offensively.
What is Gabriel’s personal life like?
Gabriel married Gabrielle Figueiredo in June 2023. The couple has a daughter named Maya, born in March 2022. Gabriel is also the cousin of professional footballer Denner.
To conclude
Gabriel Magalhães has solidified his position as a cornerstone of Arsenal’s defense since his arrival in 2020. His consistent performances, leadership qualities, and resilience have made him indispensable to the team. Despite recent injury setbacks and transfer speculations, Gabriel’s commitment to Arsenal remains evident. As the club looks to secure his future with a new contract, fans can anticipate his continued contribution to Arsenal’s ambitions in domestic and European competitions.
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