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Arsenal defender William Saliba has admitted "it's scary" to play against new signing Viktor Gyokeres. The striker finally completed his move to Arsenal on Saturday evening after so much speculation regarding a transfer from Sporting CP in recent months.

Saliba and Arsenal did in fact come up against Gyokeres during last season's Champions League league phase, a match the north London club won 5-1 in Lisbon. The ex-Coventry City man did not score that evening but he finished the campaign with 54 goals in 52 games, taking his total for Sporting to 97 in his two seasons with the club.

Gyokeres will now be hoping to record similar numbers at Arsenal and help lead the team to the titles they are desperate to achieve. Saliba believes that will be the case and he has revealed he is now "so happy" to be a teammate of the Stockholm-born star.

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"We know how good he is, it's scary to play against him," said the defender after Arsenal's 3-2 pre-season win over 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."

When pressed why he is "scary" to play against, he added: "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."

Gyokeres is not the only new signing that could potentially prove decisive in the title race. Arsenal have added to their squad with Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Cristhian Mosquera and Noni Madueke also signing on in north London.

"Every year is different. We have to learn from the last three seasons," outlined Saliba. "Of course we are lucky to have a chance to compete in the Premier League again and try to win.

"Our mindset is to win the Premier League and we will give everything from the first game. We have a lot of new players and they will hopefully help us to win this league."

Saliba has proved to be a major part of Arteta's team since making his Gunners debut in 2022. The French international has two years left on his current deal and Arsenal now have to try and extend his stay at the Emirates Stadium as they plan for the years ahead.

"Yeah, hopefully — of course there is nothing now but there is a good conversation with my agent and the club. Let's see," he said when asked if he is going to sign a new contract.

Saliba has a big role to play in Arsenal's future and the same goes for the talented academy players forcing their way into Arteta's squad this season. During the summer tour of Asia, 15-year-old duo Marli Salmon and Max Dowman have wowed in their minutes and not looked out of place at all despite their tender years.

Saliba has been extremely impressed by both and stressed the need to protect them.

"They are unbelievable," he stated. "Of course they are young, we mustn't put pressure on them, but to play the way they play at 15. I remember when I was 15, I was not playing with the first team — I was with the Under-17s, 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."

Arsenal are two wins from two in pre-season and there have been many positives for Arteta to take from the AC Milan and Newcastle friendlies. The two tests against quality opposition should hopefully stand the team in good stead for the season ahead.

"There are a lot of positive things. We played two games, we won two games," said Saliba on Arsenal's pre-season to date. "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.

"When you play Newcastle it reminds of the Premier League. It's good for us - it's a good test before the Premier League because you know when you play against them it's always tough, so it's good for us to play them in pre-season."