MIKEL Arteta was quick to shut down speculation surrounding Gabriel Magalhaes’ future as rumours mount linking the Brazilian defender with a move away from Arsenal this summer.

Gabriel featured in every single Premier League game last season, forming a formidable partnership alongside William Saliba in the heart of the Gunners defence. So there were plenty of bemused faces in the stands ahead of Arsenal’s opening game against Nottingham Forest when the 25-year-old was dropped to the bench.

Gabriel was also left out of Arteta’s starting line-up on Monday night for the game away to Crystal Palace.

On both occasions, however, he was called upon as a substitute, and at Selhurst Park Gabriel looked more fired up than ever – cheering and high-fiving every challenge and clearance as he helped the 10-man Gunners grind out a 1-0 win despite the dismissal of Takehiro Tomiyasu.

What makes Arteta’s decision to drop Gabriel even more baffling is the impact that it has on the balance of the team. Right-footed Saliba has taken over the left side of the centre-back pairing, and is now partnered by Ben White, while defensive midfielder Thomas Partey is playing right-back – the role that White made his own last season.

The tweaks have led to some supporters speculating that Gabriel will be sold before the summer transfer window closes on September 1. Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain have both been linked as potential suitors, while Gabriel could even join the players switching to the Saudi Pro League.

Arteta, however, has made it clear the player isn’t for sale. Quizzed on whether Gabriel had been dropped due to all the speculation, the Gunners boss said: “It’s about the games that we were expecting, how we were going to defend and attack and what I believe is the best thing.

“He’s played in both games and helped us to win both games for different reasons. He was really good [against Palace], he absolutely dominated the box when he came on and he’s going to play a lot of games.”

Arsenal will be looking to make it three wins out of three on Saturday when Fulham visit the Emirates. They’ll go into the game buzzing with confidence after Martin Odegaard’s penalty sealed a gritty 1-0 victory over Palace.

But wannabe managers might want to think twice before adding the Gunners captain to their fantasy football teams – as even Arteta doesn’t know who is taking Arsenal’s penalties this season.

Asked if the responsibility now falls on Odegaard’s shoulders, Arteta admitted: “I have no clue. It’s about leadership of players, and if they felt it was the right thing to do, for me I’m fine.

“They have to make those decisions on the pitch. I was surprised like everybody else, but he scored the goal which is the important thing and we won the game.”