Gabriel Magalhaes says Arsenal are taking things “step by step” as they look to secure a return to the Champions League for the first time since 2016.
The Gunners have been the Premier League’s surprise package this season, embarking on a start that is unprecedented in the club’s history on the way to the summit of the table.
While reigning champions Manchester City continue to keep up the pressure, Gabriel insists he and his teammates will continue to focus on their own game under the diligent stewardship of Mikel Arteta.
“I think everyone knows that we are a very young team, with a very good mentality,” he told ESPN Brasil.
“Mikel talks to us a lot, he is a coach who is very close to us. And from the beginning, we knew it would be difficult. Last season we missed out on qualifying for the Champions League, but that taste remained.
“This year, thank God, we are focused, working hard, and enjoying great victories. It is step by step because we know the difficulties.
“We do it step by step. There’s never an easy game and we need to have our feet on the ground and in the end we’ll see what will happen.
“Arteta always gives us confidence and we work a lot. In several games we see what needs to be improved and that it helps us a lot. Our group is very close.”
While William Saliba earned all the plaudits in the early part of the season, it can be argued that Gabriel has probably been the more consistent performer of the pair.
At one point, it looked as though his performances for Arsenal would earn him a place in Brazil’s squad for the World Cup only for Tite to overlook him. It was a tough blow for Gabriel.
“I was definitely sad. It’s normal for an athlete, even more so for having been in the group, apart from the last call-up that I didn’t go to, I went to the others,” he said.
“I had my family close by, and at Arsenal everyone talked to me. I have a good mind and I’m a family person. I managed to digest that well, it’s part of football. I’ll keep working and I know there are other World Cups ahead of me. I’ll work to be there”.
On his time in London, he added: “Arriving at a club like Arsenal makes all the difference and I’m very happy to be here. Playing in such a difficult league and one of the best in the world.
“Since I arrived, I’ve learned a lot and while, certainly at the beginning, it was difficult, now it’s not so much. I’m well-adapted. I understand more about the Premier League and how they play. That made it easier for me.”
Great player and mentality. Part of a solid foundation.
Sorry to say but every time i read “step by step” this runs through my head:
“Step by step, heart to heart, left right left
We all fall down
Step by step, heart to heart, left right left
We all fall down like toy soldiers
Bit by bit, torn apart, we never win
But the battle wages on for toy soldiers” by Eminem
sounds more like a song for the spuds
Now I’ve got that horrible, whiny voice in my head
Class act, physical, skilful, hope he is around for a long time (with Saliba, Benjamin, Kieran etc)!
Stay the course!
I was sad that Gabriel didn’t get his WC callup, but good to know he’s taken it in his stride and has a mature outlook. And he’s a good goal scorer.
Yea, the lads need to keep reminding everyone at every opportunity that our target is CL football. That doesn’t mean they are aiming for something better, but it could insulate them against Pep and his players’ inevitable mind games if we are still ahead deep in the second half of the season.
*not aiming
Sensible approach – there’s no other way really. Still more than half the season to go.
He should take heart from the realisation that Tite fucked up a lot of his selection calls, so it shouldn’t reflect on him as a player at all.
Love this guy. Of all our defenders he is the one who is willing to put his body on the line for the team the most. Clearances, blocks, general fight – plus the added threat from attacking set pieces – this guy will throw himself at anything for the benefit of the team. Very sad when parts of the fan base single him out due to the odd mistake or perceived lack of discipline – but when you play with his level of passion and commitment it is inevitable that not every calculation will be correct. With experience he will… Read more »
Those are the same fans who this time last year, were saying that Mari is better than Gabriel.
No nothing idiots
he’s very good at defending, but every now and then he’s so, so naive, giving away a handball or a foul inside the box when things were completely under control until that point… which is what is preventing him from becoming one of the best cb’s in the world, imo. still very young for a defender tho, he’ll definitely learn!
COYG
Good lad, with this attitude you’ll go all the way to the summit.
Absolutely correct.The gunners have confounded many in the game.They face great odds to win a game let alone the title ie refs and var turning a blind eye to legitimate calls for penalties and over the top illegal tacklez,etc