Owen Hargreaves is confident that William Saliba and Gabriel will turn out to be recruits, but has issued a warning to Arsenal fans, as no player enjoys Premier League football.
Arsenal conceded 48 goals for the England team last season and Mikel Arteta prioritized the play of a first-class central defender at the start of the summer play window to fix the team’s weak defence.
The Gunners signed a 27 million pound contract with Lille for Gabriel before this month and the 22-year-old Brazilian arrives with high expectations on his shoulders after himself as one of ligue 1’s most productive young defenders.
Arteta also has 19-year-old Saliba at his disposal after returning from Saint-Etienne and French is expected to begin this weekend when the giants of north London launch their crusade in Fulham.
Former Manchester United and England midfielder Hargreaves was inspired by defensive innovations made after Arteta replaced Unai Emery last season, but suggested enthusiasts be patient with new recruits Gabriel and Saliba.
“I think some other aspect has already begun to appear under Arteta. They began competing more opposed to the larger teams,” Hargreaves said in the previous weekend of Optus Sport.
“We saw it opposite Liverpool, we saw it opposite Manchester City, we’ve noticed them winning exclusive matches where you wouldn’t have imagined them before, so I think they’re harder to face.
“I think the biggest one is the defensive one. He signed a wonderful player in Saliba, although he is young and Gabriel is some other very intelligent player. He’s competitive, he’s aggressive. “
“But the only challenge is that those two boys you signed don’t know this division. Getting the power plants into this league and adapting takes time.
“Even for the elderly, we do it with Nemanja Vidic even.
“I think he’s looking to fix the defense and maybe David Luiz is betting on the middle of those guys who would paint with those kids. “
Gabriel is looking to bet alongside Saliba on Arsenal’s defense this season and believes teenagers have all the qualities they want for a key player for the club.
“I know Saliba is a young player and if he joins Arsenal it’s because of his quality,” he told Arsenal’s official website.
“We have some friends in what is not unusual and I have faced him before.
“He’s a wonderful player and I’m sure we’ll get along just fine. “
The ex-Lillois is also very happy to share a painting with compatriot David Luiz, a player he idolized when he was young.
“Certainly David is an example, he’s a player I really appreciate,” Gabriel added.
“I’ve been a big fan of him and everything he’s accomplished.
I’ve been watching him since I was a kid, I’ve been betting video games with his character and today it’s a dream come true to be here with him and play with him soon. ”
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