Arsenal open talks with Mikel Arteta favourite as Edu ramps up summer transfer window preparation

Arsenal have opened preliminary contract talks with defender Gabriel Magalhaes to lock down his future at the Emirates Stadium after an impressive season.

Discussions are at a very early stage with there being no rush to get an agreement over the line given the Brazilian still has two years left on his current deal, football.london understands. It’s thought that conversations so far have gone well.

The 26-year-old has been instrumental to Arsenal’s title chases over the past two years, and his formidable centre-back partnership with William Saliba has been hailed as one of the best in Europe. Gabriel has helped Arsenal keep 20 clean sheets this campaign, also chipping in with four goals.

Arteta is hoping to ward off interest in one of his key stars by tying him down to a new deal ahead of another important summer for the club, which will be influenced by how Arsenal fare in the race for the Premier League crown.

A decision on Jorginho will need to be made with his deal expiring in June while academy trio Emile Smith Rowe, Reiss Nelson and Eddie Nketiah are tipped to exit alongside Aaron Ramsdale. Cedric Soares, Mohamed Elneny and reserve goalkeeper Karl Hein are also out of contract this summer.

It’s thought the Gunners are meanwhile likely to search for a new striker and a midfielder, while some reports moot that a left-back could also be sought.

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The performances of Oleksandr Zinchenko have left questions over his long-term role in the side with Jakub Kiwior proving to many to be more defensively sound when played there. Gabriel nevertheless believes that Arsenal teammates have strong faith in one another despite last year’s fall away.

Speaking earlier this week ahead of the club’s 5-0 mauling of Chelsea, he said regarding his partnership with Saliba: "Last season was our first one together. It was already good, we understand each other very well on the pitch.

"This year I was sure that if we have people together it will go better, because we work a lot, we talk a lot, so that helps us. I think that this year, we also have a lot of confidence.

"We each have confidence in each other, confidence in any player that plays. So that's good for us. Last season we were already good.

“William [Saliba] got injured, but we were good and we spoke a lot among ourselves. This year we are good even if we change our left back [or other positions].”