Arsenal centre-back Gabriel has signed a new contract extension with the club until 2027, the first in what the Premier League leaders hope will be a series of new deals with key players.
Terms were finalised on Friday at Arsenal’s training ground during a meeting between the player, his representatives, and senior club staff. The contract is seen as a reward for the progress the player has made following his 26-million euro move from Lille in September 2020.
This season, the 24-year-old has been a cornerstone of Arsenal’s defensive improvement under Mikel Arteta, forming a balanced, imposing partnership at centre-back with William Saliba. He has contributed to nine goals in 83 appearances across all competitions and has an athletic presence in both penalty areas.
Arteta was impressed to tie down the player to a long-term contract and said:
“Gabi has shown huge qualities since he joined us. He is a young player with a great work ethic and his consistent strong performances have been hugely important to us over the past two seasons.
Working with Gabi every day is a pleasure, he has formed strong relationships with everyone at the club and we’re so pleased that he has committed to us on a long-term contract.”
Gavi hopes to be named in Brazil’s World Cup squad and earn his first full cap next month. He was called up to the senior squad for the first time in November 2021 and served as an unused substitute during the World Cup qualifying campaign for 2022.
The player started his career with Avai in Santa Catarina, Brazil, before joining Lille as a teenager in January 2017. After loan spells with Troyes in Ligue 1 and Dinamo Zagreb in Croatia (where he won the domestic double in 2017/18), Gabriel made his debut for Lille in February 2019.
Arsenal is also looking to sign Saliba to a new contract, while talks about new contracts for Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are ongoing. All four players should be available to play against Southampton at St Mary’s on Sunday, when Arsenal will look to maintain or extend their four-point lead over Manchester City by defeating the Saints.
