Gabriel Magalhaes says Champions League final defeat can drive Arsenal to more trophies

Gabriel Magalhaes believes Arsenal’s defeat by Paris Saint-Germain in last season’s Champions League final will provide powerful motivation as they prepare for the new campaign.

Paris Saint-Germain won the trophy after a 1-1 draw with Arsenal was followed by a penalty shootout. Gabriel missed one of Arsenal’s penalties as the English club fell short in the final.

Speaking to TNT Sports, the Arsenal defender said the disappointment had strengthened the team’s desire to improve and compete for silverware.

“For me, what happened in the Champions League final represents a big motivation,” Gabriel said. “Of course, we want to win every competition, but we know that it is about continuing to work.”

He added: “I am motivated to come back again and win as many trophies as possible.”

Gabriel said Arsenal remained confident in the quality of their squad and their ability to challenge for honours.

“What happened is a motivation for us, and we know the quality that our team has and how much we want to achieve more victories,” he said.

Arsenal have five competitions to contest and Gabriel insists the squad will fight to win each one.

“We have five trophies to compete for, and we will fight to win them,” he said.

The defender also acknowledged the scale of the task facing the club, while maintaining that Arsenal are in a strong position to challenge.

“I think we are in the right situation to compete,” Gabriel said. “Of course, we have to work a lot, and I think winning any trophy is difficult, but we believe in our ability to achieve that.”

Arsenal ended last season as champions of the English league and European runners-up after their defeat by Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final.

Their first competitive fixture of the new season will come against Manchester City in the Community Shield on Sunday, before the Premier League campaign begins.

Arsenal will open their league season against Coventry City on Friday, 21 August, at Emirates Stadium. The club will be seeking to carry the determination generated by their European disappointment into a campaign in which they will compete for five trophies.

Gabriel’s comments underline the importance Arsenal have placed on responding to the final defeat through continued work and a renewed push for success. While the loss to Paris Saint-Germain remains a recent setback, the defender sees it as an experience that can help the squad develop and compete more effectively in the season ahead.