Gabriel confident of building up winning partnership with Saliba

Gabriel Magalhaes is confident of building up a winning partnership with William Saliba in the Arsenal defence.

Arsenal made Gabriel their latest summer signing when buying him from Lille at the start of September.

Defence was one of the main areas Arsenal were looking to improve, and the 22-year-old should give them the strength they need there.

Also arriving to strengthen Mikel Arteta’s backline is William Saliba, who joined the club last summer but spent the past season on loan with Saint Ettiene.

Gabriel got to come up against his new teammate during the Ligue 1 campaign, and he believes Arsenal have shown faith in Saliba for a reason.

“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,” Gabriel told www.arsenal.com.

“We have a few friends in common and I did play against him before. He is a great player and I am sure we will get along very well.”

A number of clubs had been interested in the Brazilian centre-back, but he eventually chose to move to the Emirates Stadium in a statement of intent for Arsenal.

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And Gabriel admits that it still hasn’t sunk in that he has joined such a famous club.

“It is a dream,” he said. “I am living a 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.”