Gabriel predicts Arsenal will scale 'new heights' next season

Gabriel Magalhaes believes Arsenal can reach "new heights" next season and has confidence the Gunners can finally end their 21-year wait to be champions of England.

The 'Invincibles' of 2003-04 delivered Arsenal's most recent Premier League title, and they have finished as runners-up in each of the last three campaigns.

After narrowly missing out to Manchester City in both 2022-23 and 2023-24, Mikel Arteta's side were a distant second to Liverpool in 2024-25, finishing 10 points adrift of the Reds.

Arteta delivered the FA Cup to the Emirates Stadium in 2019-20 after taking over midway through the season, but they have since gone five years without lifting a major trophy, only winning the Community Shield in 2020 and 2023.

However, after seeing Martin Zubimendi, Noni Madueke, Christian Norgaard and Kepa Arrizabalaga arrive, and with Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres expected to follow, Gabriel expects Arsenal to mount a renewed challenge. 

"I have only one thing to say, and Mikel said it – we are ready to reach new heights this season," he told The Athletic.

"I don't think we can make excuses. Over the past three years, we've done everything we could. 

"We just lacked a bit of luck. But within the club, I truly believe we're all convinced that we can win trophies — big trophies.

"I've already been at the club five years, and I can see the progress that’s happening here. I'm here to win titles, to achieve things, to help make Arsenal even bigger. 

"I truly believe this upcoming season will be a big challenge for us, but I also believe we can win things. We have a great chance of winning a trophy."

Arsenal led the Premier League table for long periods in 2022-23 and 2023-24, and while they fell away earlier in 2024-25, they reached the Champions League semi-finals and were eliminated by eventual champions Paris Saint-Germain. 

"In the last few years, we were very close to winning things, and it ended up slipping away," the Brazilian – who signed a new four-year contract with the Gunners in June – added.

"But I have complete confidence in the club and everything they're doing to help it grow, and I'm certain that this year we'll be fighting again."

Gabriel's 2024-25 campaign was ended by a hamstring injury he suffered during a win over Fulham in early April, but he is now back in full training and could feature when the Gunners face Milan in a pre-season friendly in Singapore on Wednesday.

"I'm progressing really well. I'm already training with the group. It was a bit of a long process, but I'm feeling good now. I'm working hard every day to get ready," he said.

"It's going to be a season full of challenges, but we want to win, so I'm giving my best. I'm already in a good place to be able to play."