Arsenal star William Saliba says Premier League defenders are in for a ‘scary’ ride next season following Viktor Gyokeres’ arrival from Sporting.
The Gunners officially announced that they had won the race for Gyokeres at the weekend, with the club agreeing a deal worth €63.5million (£54.8m) – plus €10m (£8.6m) in add-ons – with Portuguese champions Sporting.
The prolific Swede became Arsenal’s sixth signing of the window, following Kepa Arrizabalaga, Christian Norgaard, Noni Madueke, Martin Zubimendi and Cristhian Mosquera through the doors at the Emirates.
Manchester United had also been pursuing an agreement for Gyokeres across the summer, but the 27-year-old attacker was intent on playing Champions League football next term – and made it clear he favoured a switch to north London.
Gyokeres joined up with his new team-mates in Singapore on Sunday and was formally introduced to the crowd before Arsenal’s pre-season victory over Newcastle.
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While there is a chance Gyokeres could make his debut in Arsenal’s upcoming friendly with arch-rivals Tottenham on Thursday, Mikel Arteta has hinted fans may have to be a little more patient to see the forward in action for the first time.
‘We know how good he is, it’s scary to play against him,’ Arsenal defender Saliba told Hayters TV when asked about Gyokeres following the side’s 3-2 defeat of Newcastle.
‘Of course, I’m so happy to have him in my club, and I’m sure that he will help us to win games and win trophies.’
Asked what exactly makes Gyokeres a ‘scary’ prospect for opposition defenders, Saliba replied: ‘Because when you face a striker who scores goals, you have to be focused!
‘But now he’s in our team and he will score for us, so that’s good.’
Saliba believes Arsenal’s hierarchy have signalled their intent with the quality they have brought in during the transfer window.
‘Our mindset is to win the Premier League and we will give everything from the first game,’ the France centre-back added.
‘We have a lot of new players and they will hopefully help us to win this league.’
Arsenal’s wonderkid Max Dowman stole the show with an magnificent cameo performance off the bench against Newcastle, drawing a foul from Joelinton to win Martin Odegaard’s late penalty.
Fellow Hale End academy graduate Marli Salmon was also given playing time in Singapore, coming off the bench for Saliba in the 77th minute of the contest.
‘They are unbelievable. Of course, they are young, we mustn’t put pressure on them, but to play the way they play at 15!’ Saliba said of the two 15-year-old talents.
‘I remember when I was 15, I was not playing with the first-team. I was with the U17s, so it’s good.
‘We have to protect them and give them support, but of course, they are really, really good players, and I hope they will help us as soon as possible.
Saliba hopes Arsenal continue to build on their ‘positive’ showings in Asia heading into the new season
‘There are a lot of positive things. We played two games; we won two games,’ he said of the wins over AC Milan and Newcastle.
‘There are also a lot of things to improve, but of course we have to keep going like that.
‘We have three games left before the Premier League, so we have to keep going and keep winning games.
‘Pressure is good, that means we are in a good place. If we are not good we don’t have pressure. We play football to have pressure.’
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