Is Gabriel on his way to Barcelona?

Is Gabriel on his way to Barcelona?

Arsenal risk losing one of their best defenders this summer if they are not careful.
Gabriel has been a revelation under Mikel Arteta since his arrival in North London from Lille.
The £28million fee for the Brazilian centre-back seemed a fair price when he joined the club in 2020, and it has proven to be one of the best deals the club has made in recent years, with the defender redefining what it means to play at the back for Arsenal.
He's solid, he works hard, and he's prepared to put his body on the line for his team.
And he combines that with the ability to distribute the ball at the back and carry it into midfield.
But perhaps most importantly, he loves to defend, a trait the Gunners haven't had in the heart of their back four since Sol Campbell left the club.
However, Arteta could be at risk of losing the solidity he has established at the back, with the Brazilian linked with a big-money move to Barcelona.

Why Barcelona?

The Spanish giants appear to have bounced back from a horrific summer that saw them lose the iconic Lionel Messi while also suffering from financial difficulties.
They may not be the beast they once were on the European stage, having been eliminated from this season's UEFA Europa League by German side Eintracht Frankfurt.
Still, there are certainly glimmers of hope at the Camp Nou heading into next season after boss Xavi has engineered a terrific turnaround in domestic fortunes.
So, if Gabriel were to leave Arsenal, then Barcelona understandably seems like a reasonable destination for the defender.
But is that what he really wants?

What does the player want?

The good news for Arsenal fans is that the defender has already come out and re-emphasised his desire to achieve big things in North London.
He has been part of a significant improvement in the side's fortunes already, and with qualification for the Champions League still a possibility, there is no reason why he can't play a central role in the club's return to the top of English football.
After rumours began circulating about his long-term future, Gabriel said: "But I feel good, I feel at home at Arsenal.
"It's a great squad to be a part of, and together I am sure we can achieve a lot.
"I am very happy here."
So at least for now, it looks like he will remain at The Emirates.

Conclusion

The Gunners may keep hold of their star centre-back for now, but they will have to consistently qualify for the Champions League if they want him to commit for the long-term.
With the season drawing to a close, no side appears to have a firm grasp on fourth place.
Saturday's defeat against Southampton was a big blow, but if Arsenal bounce back quickly and qualify for the Champions League, it will give their hopes of keeping hold of Gabriel a big boost.

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