Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes has become one of the club’s most important players since his move from Lyon in 2020.
The Arsenal ace, who joined for just £27million, has clocked up 210 appearances for the Gunners and formed a superb partnership with William Saliba.
And earlier this month, Arsenal rewarded Gabriel Magalhaes with a new contract which extends his time at the Emirates Stadium until 2029.
Gabriel has now revealed what happened to him in his first few days at Arsenal that left him stunned, courtesy of Mikel Arteta.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta with defender Gabriel Magalhaes
Photo by FILIPE AMORIM/AFP via Getty Images
Gabriel Magalhaes could not believe he started for Arsenal after just four days’ training
Gabriel joined Arsenal on 1 September 2020 and he made his debut just 11 days later, in the first game of the 2020/21 season.
The Brazilian started in the 3-0 win over Fulham on 12 September, scoring the second goal of the game for the Gunners.
Gabriel, speaking on Podpah, admitted he was shocked at being handed his first start after training for just four days.
“I’ll tell you, I trained for four days,” he said. “I tried for four days with the guys. Bro, four days!
“I trained for four days to start in the league – he already put me in the starting line-up.
“I said: ‘Damn bro, it’s not possible’. I trained for four days bro!”
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The £84m player Gabriel Magalhaes would love to see at Arsenal
Gabriel is one of three Brazilians currently in the Arsenal ranks, along with Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli.
The defender told the podcast that he’d quite like to see a fourth Brazilian join the Gunners, namely Real Madrid ace Rodrygo Goes.
TBR Football understand Arsenal are trying to sign Rodrygo as the £84million-rated forward expresses concerns over his future under Xabi Alonso.
“I don’t (know if he is joining) but I’d like (him to) obviously,” Gabriel said of Rodrygo.
“He’s a phenomenon. I’ve told people already, he’s a phenomenon! If it was up to me, of course.”