(Credit: Getty Images/Imago)

Jonathan Burnett

Mon 18 August 2025 15:15, UK

Gabriel Magalhaes came through his return from injury unscathed to help Arsenal see out a 1-0 win over Manchester United.

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Mikel Arteta was without one half of his long-term centre-back partnership for last term’s run-in after Gabriel suffered a season-ending hamstring injury against Fulham on 1 April, leaving Arsenal in a bind.

The Gunners stumbled to the Premier League finishing line with Jakub Kiwior partnering William Saliba at the back, and suffered a Champions League semi-final exit to PSG as Gabriel missed a crucial period.

Gabriel re-affirmed his commitment to the club by signing a new contract to stay at Arsenal until 2029, and after just two appearances in pre-season for Arsenal, made a successful return at Old Trafford.

Riccardo Calafiori started alongside Gabriel and William Saliba against Man United (Credit: Imago)

Gabriel made his return to the starting XI against Man United on Sunday for Arsenal’s Premier League opener a week on from his only start of pre-season, when he played 63 minutes against Athletic Bilbao.

The Brazilian resumed his partnership with Saliba at Old Trafford and came away with a clean sheet after Riccardo Calafiori’s headed winner early on, which Saliba aided by forcing an error from Altay Bayindir.

Arsenal were second-best for much of Sunday’s clash but Calafiori, Gabriel, Saliba and Ben White kept Man United at bay after the former’s 13th-minute header, and the Brazilian celebrated on social media.

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Gabriel posted on Instagram after full-time on 17 August with a message to thank Arsenal fans after his long period on the sidelines, and substitute Jurrien Timber responded to the Brazilian’s rallying cry.

Timber, who replaced White at right-back for the last 19 minutes, added a heart emoji beneath Gabriel’s post, which said: “Winning feeling!!

See you next week!”

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Football Insider Verdict

Arsenal have strengthened their defence in Gabriel’s absence with the £13million signing of Valencia centre-back Cristhian Mosquera, and academy left-back Myles Lewis-Skelly also signed a new contract.

Kiwior could be on his way to AC Milan this summer in the wake of Malick Thiaw’s switch to Newcastle, as Arteta continues to re-shape Arsenal’s squad while underlining the importance of Saliba and Gabriel.

Mosquera, Martin Zubimendi, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Viktor Gyokeres, Christian Norgaard and Noni Madueke are all signings to be admired, but there’s no doubt that Gabriel and Saliba are still the most important in this Arsenal team.

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