Gabriel: Arsenal 'ready to go' for another Champions League run
Gabriel Magalhaes says Arsenal are determined to go all the way in the Champions League again this season, just months after missing the decisive penalty in last season's final defeat to PSG.
The Brazilian centre back was speaking ahead of Arsenal's clash with Lille, with the club back in Europe's top competition looking to go one better than last term's runners up finish.
The Friday Injury Tracker
Who's out, who's back and what it means for the next two games.
Gabriel formed a formidable partnership with William Saliba throughout last season's run to the final, and the pair are still regarded as one of the strongest defensive duos in European football. Saliba has yet to feature this season due to a back problem, and while Arsenal signed Ezri Konsa in the summer and have coped in his absence, the club are giving the Frenchman time to recover fully rather than rushing him back.
That has left Gabriel as the senior figure marshalling Arsenal's defence, and his comments suggest a squad eager to pick up where last season left off.
Gabriel's message before Lille
Speaking to Arsenal Media, Gabriel reflected on the mentality within the squad heading into this season's competition.
“I think we are really happy to be in the Champions League again,” he said. “We want to keep the momentum. Last year, we did really well in the Champions League, so I think it's a big opportunity for us again to attack the Champions League. We are very motivated, we want to attack every trophy.”
He added: “Tomorrow, we're going to have another opportunity to play in the Champions League and to play in front of our people; I think we are ready to go.”
Building on last season's run
Arsenal's progress in the Champions League in recent years has been one of the clearest signs of the club's development under Mikel Arteta, culminating in last season's run to the final. That journey ended in heartbreak against PSG, with Gabriel among those left to reflect on a missed opportunity from the penalty spot.
There is no indication from Gabriel's comments that the squad are dwelling on that disappointment. Instead, the focus appears to be on using last season's experience as a platform rather than a setback.
With Saliba still working his way back to fitness, Gabriel's form and leadership at the back are likely to remain central to how far Arsenal can go in this year's competition. The club will know that ambition alone will not be enough, and that results on the pitch, starting against Lille, will determine whether this talk of attacking every trophy translates into genuine progress.
