New Arsenal signing Gabriel Magalhaes is confident William Saliba has all the qualities necessary to become a key player for Mikel Arteta’s new-look side.
The France Under-21 international joined the Gunners from Saint-Etienne last summer but was loaned back to the French club for another year as part of the deal.
Saliba is likely to former a new-look central defensive partnership with Gabriel, whose own move to the Emirates Stadium was confirmed earlier this week.
Arsenal beat competition from the likes of Napoli and Manchester United in order to complete the signing of the 22-year-old Brazilian from Lille, and Gabriel is relishing the opportunity to strike up an understanding with his new team-mate.
He said: ‘I did not follow him much but I know he’s a talented young player and if he is joining arsenal it is because of his quality. We have a few friend in common and I did play against him before.
‘He is a great player and I am sure we will get along very well. It is a dream I am living the dream right now to play for this club with such a massive history and achievements.
‘Everything is there to achieve and I am very happy to be here. It hasn’t really sunk in yet but i am glad to be here and I can’t wait to play with my new team-mates.’
Arteta is now likely to turn his attention to selling some of the defenders he has deemed surplus to requirements. Sokratis Papastathopoulos is wanted by Napoli after they missed out on Gabriel, while the Gunners will also listen to offers for the likes of Shkodran Mustafi, Rob Holding and Calum Chambers.
David Luiz penned a new deal earlier in the summer while January loan recruit Pablo Mari has been signed on a permanent deal from Flamengo.
MORE: Alexis Sanchez reveals he asked to rejoin Arsenal after his first Manchester United training session
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