Arsenal defender William Saliba has issued a warning to the team’s Premier League rivals, noting that facing Viktor Gyökeres is a “terrifying” experience. Saliba is confident that the club’s new striker will help break the title drought.
Gyökeres, who joined Arsenal after a transfer of 63 million euros (74 million dollars) from Sporting CP, with a value that could rise to 73.5 million euros with bonuses, immediately joined the team’s pre-season in Singapore.
Arsenal have made six signings this summer with the aim of winning their first trophy since the 2020 FA Cup. Saliba believes that Gyökeres could be the key ingredient, after having faced him last season, when Arsenal beat Sporting 5-1 in November.
We know how good he is, it’s terrifying to play against him. Of course, I’m very happy to have him in my club and I’m sure he will help us win matches and titles.
William SalibaViktor Gyökeres luciendo la camiseta del Arsenal en la victoria por 3-2 sobre el Newcastle en Singapur. Pakawich Damrongkiattisak/Getty Images“It’s scary because when you face a striker who scores goals, you have to be focused! But now he’s on our team and he’ll score for us, so that’s good.”
“Every year is different. We have to learn from the last three seasons. Of course, we are lucky to have the opportunity to compete in the Premier League again to try to win.”
“Our mentality is to win the Premier League and we will give it our all from the first match. We have many new players and we hope they will help us win this league.”
Gyökeres is scheduled to start training with his new teammates this week.
How Gyökeres became Europe’s star striker
Arsenal will travel to Hong Kong on Tuesday, where they will face Tottenham Hotspur in their last match of the tour.
Saliba also offered a positive update on his contract situation, as he enters the final year of his current contract.
According to reports, Real Madrid is interested in signing the 24-year-old defender, but sources indicate that Arsenal’s board considers that the talks about an extension are progressing favorably.
Asked if he will sign a new contract, Saliba replied: “Yes, hopefully. Of course, there is nothing now, but there is a good conversation with my agent and the club. We will see”.
