Arsenal new boys Saliba and Gabriel 'lucky' to have Luiz, says Arteta

Mikel Arteta says William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes are lucky to have the guidance of David Luiz as they ease in to life at Arsenal.

William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes will benefit from learning under David Luiz, says Arteta.

The two young centre-backs both arrived in north London this summer.

Saliba returned to Arsenal after a season-long loan from Saint-Etienne while Gabriel completed a £25m move from Lille this summer. Arteta was instrumental in securing the transfer of the latter.

Gabriel has already impressed so far with a goal on his debut against Fulham and a good performance against West Ham. Saliba is yet to make his official debut but could do so in the Carabao Cup clash against Leicester City.

At age 22 and 19 respectively, both players boast huge potential to be part of the Gunners’ mainstay for years to come.

But as they ease to life in new surroundings, the guidance of an experienced veteran like David Luiz could do them some good, says Arteta.

“He is a really good role model for them, for who David is as a person and as a player and everything he has achieved in the game,” the Arsenal boss said as quoted by Goal.

“I think they are lucky to have him around.”

Speaking on Saliba in particular, Arteta says the player will need more time to ease in to new surroundings. This comes after a season where the teenager dealt with multiple injuries on a personal level.

“I think William is doing really well,” he continued.

“He is adapting to the country, adapting to our club. We have to bear in mind that he had a really challenging season last year with the amount of injuries that he had, but he is a player that is going to be really important in our future, things sometimes take some time and we have to respect that.”

Arsenal will face Leicester City at the King Power stadium for the third round of the Carabao Cup. William Saliba is likely going to get the nod from Arteta in defence.