“I don’t know if….” Gabriel Magalhes FINALLY speaks out after Arteta consistently bench him just so that he can start Havertz, reveals his future ahead

It could be an intersting last few days of the summer transfer window for Arsenal and for one player in particular. Gabriel Magalhaes has been linked with a surprise exit from the north London club after struggling to earn a first team place under Mikel Arteta this season.

The Brazilian defender, who was a mainstay of the team last season, has not started a single match yet this campaign, having to come off the bench to shore things up as Arsenal protected leads.

That was before Saturday, when he was once again on the bench against fulham, but did not get a chance to make it onto the pitch during the 2-2 draw. Exit rumours have begun circulating with Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain reportedly making enquiries over his availability. However the strongest interest arrived from Saudi Arabian outfit Al Ittihad with the President of the Saudi Federation said to have held a meeting with Gabriel.

With the exit talk ramping up, Arteta has also directly addressed the rumours with a firm verdict on Gabriel’s future. With that said, football.london has rounded up the latest news surrounding the Brazilian and the possibility of a transfer away from north London.

Arteta update
Gabriel was once again on the bench against Fulham on Saturday and despite Arsenal leading 2-1 late into the game, Arteta decided against putting him on, as he has done in the previous two Premier League fixtures this season.

The Gunners would go on to concede a late goal to Palhinha and were forced to settle for a share of the spoils, ruining their 100% start to the season.

Before the match, Arteta had offered an update on the defender’s situation. He said: “I don’t know if he understands but I told him. I think he understands the reason, whether he agrees or not, that’s something different. But the best way to do it is when you play, just tell me how blind I’m wrong, I am.”

Gabriel was not given that chance on Saturday and it could be a big week for him and the club, with the potential for a change in formation and plans against Manchester United next weekend offering him a role back in the side…if he’s still at the club.

Saudi Arabia boost
Saudi Pro League champions Al-Ittihad have reportedly turned their attention to Paris Saint-Germain defender Marquinhos having received no sign that Gabriel will leave Arsenal.

Reports in France (via the Daily Express), Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are looking to sign Marquinhos and have also considered a swoop for Raphael Varane – though the Manchester United star is reported to be happy at Old Trafford.

READ MORE: Gabriel return as Mikel Arteta gets green light to twist with £65m Arsenal experiment vs Man Utd

Arteta’s firm verdict
Mikel Arteta has dismissed talk of Gabriel leaving the club this summer despite the Arsenal boss omitting him from the starting XI of the first two Premier League games of the season.

“Nothing at all,” he said when asked if links to Saudi influenced his decision to leave him out of the starting XI. “It’s about the games that we were expecting, what I was expecting, how we wanted to defend and attack and our belief it was the best thing.

“He’s played in both games, he’s helped us to win both games for different reasons. He was really good today, he absolutely dominated the box. He’s going to play a lot of games. That’s the decision sometimes.”

Arteta then also shook his head when asked if he was interested in any offers from the Middle East.

Captain decision
Gabriel was brought on for the final 20 minutes of Arsenal’s Premier League clash against Crystal Palace after Takehiro Tomiyasu was shown a red card.

Club captain Martin Odegaard was then withdrawn with the Norway international handing Gabriel the captain’s armband which certainly hints the Gunners have no intention of selling as he is an important part of the leadership group.

On Instagram Saliba also replied to Gabriel’s post after the game with the comment, “capitano” *arm flexed emoji.

Instagram
Arsenal exit stance
Arsenal have zero intention of selling Gabriel in the summer window, according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.

Despite interest from Saudi Arabia, which could result in a lucrative offer arriving, it has also been noted their stance on him not being for sale is so strong, an asking price has not even been set.

Saudi meeting
Saudi Arabian outfit Al Ittihad are the team with the most concrete interest in signing Gabriel from Arsenal this summer.

According to Saudi journalist @ahmad2man on Twitter the President of the Saudi Federation held a meeting with Gabriel in London on Monday.

Real Madrid and PSG interest
Carlo Ancelotti has identified Gabriel as a potential replacement for Eder Militao who is set for a lengthy spell out of the Real Madrid team with a knee injury.

According to Mail Sport, Los Blancos have a genuine interest in the Brazil international but he is also said to be happy at Arsenal. An enquiry has also reportedly been made by French champions Paris Saint-Germain.