For some years, Arsenal have been frustrated both competitively and in the transfer market. At the same time, the likes of Juventus have enjoyed relatively unchallenged title challenges and runs to the Champions League’s latter stages.
Furthermore, the Italian heavyweights, in particular, became a thorn in Arsenal’s side regarding transfer business. The likes of Dusan Vlahovic and Manuel Locatelli were both courted seriously by the Gunners but were tempted away to join The Old Lady at Arsenal’s expense in the league.
However, things have changed drastically in recent times as Juve slumped to a second successive fourth-place finish in 2021/22. Granted, Champions League football was something they could still boast over Arsenal, but their reign at the top has well and truly ended after losing the last two Serie A title races to the two Milan clubs by a serious margin.
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Meanwhile, Arsenal have been working their way up despite losing the relative transfer battles for the Vlahovic and Locatelli. They have even beaten the Bianconeri this summer to secure a top player and keep hold of an existing one.
Gabriel Jesus was linked to a number of clubs before being signed by the Gunners. One of those clubs was Juventus, just six months after bringing in Vlahovic, although the Serbian has not looked the same as the goalscoring monster he was at Fiorentina.
After missing Jesus and then losing Matthijs de Ligt to Bayern Munich, Juve came after Gabriel Magalhaes. The Arsenal defender, however, is happy at Arsenal and the club had a firm 'no' when approached for the Brazilian.
"It's always nice to get that recognition, but I'm really focused on Arsenal. I am very happy here. I've got a good relationship with my teammates, and I am fully committed to the project," he told Sky Sports.
A partnership between Gabriel and the new addition to the first team squad William Saliba is developing after starting the match at Crystal Palace together. Gabriel added that he feels he can help the Frenchman and that they will compliment one another.
"He is a good friend of mine already. We speak French together, so that helps," Gabriel added. "He has added a lot of quality to the team, and I think he has a brilliant future ahead of him."
"I have been here for two years now, so I do have experience that I can use to help him, but at the same time, he can help me. He has a lot of quality and a lot of physical strength out on the pitch."
"We have similar qualities. I think we complement each other well."
Returning to Juventus, they instead signed Bremer when failing with their hunt for the Arsenal man. After just one win from four preseason games, the preparations for the new season see Juve as a weakened form of their former selves.
The Arsenal project looks a significant contrast to what Massimiliano Allegri is looking at. Mikel Arteta will see the Juve of old as a target to emulate, but this current iteration could not be further from what the Gunners want to be.
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