William Saliba has warned Arsenal’s rivals that they are not “full” and believes their Premier League title triumph could serve as a catalyst to winning more silverware.
Saliba and his team-mates will get their hands on Arsenal’s first Premier League trophy since 2004 after the conclusion of their dead rubber against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Sunday.
The Gunners will hope it is the first leg of a momentous double with their Champions League final against Paris St Germain in Budapest to follow next Saturday.
Arsenal will take on Crystal Palace in their final Premier League match of the season
Arsenal will take on Crystal Palace in their final Premier League match of the season(Gareth Fuller/PA)
“It would mean a lot,” said Saliba when asked about the significant of winning next week’s showpiece.
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“Now we have started with the Premier League, it is my first one, so I am happy. But I am not full. I want more. And there is a big chance next week in the Champions League, so we have to give everything.
“Last season we finished second in the league, but even when we finished second, we had the good mentality the season after to keep going and it finally paid off. We didn’t give up, we deserve the title, and we will come back again next season to try and win as well.”
Pressed as to whether he thinks Arsenal’s championship triumph could serve as a springboard to winning more trophies, he replied: “Yes, of course.
“When you win a trophy it is positive. It gives you confidence. We can see everyone is in a good mood, the staff, the players.
William Saliba and Gabriel have formed a fine partnership at the heart of Arsenal’s defence
William Saliba and Gabriel have formed a fine partnership at the heart of Arsenal’s defence(John Walton/PA)
“It is better that you win the league before the Champions League final so now everyone is happy.
“We have one more game in the Premier League, but whatever happens we are champions, and then we have one week to prepare for Paris.”
Arsenal lost both legs of their semi-final tie to PSG last season before the French giants ran riot against Inter Milan to complete a stunning 5-0 victory.
In Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue, PSG boast one of the most potent attacks in world football.
And Saliba admitted: “It is normal that they (PSG) are the favourites because they won the Champions League last season, and now they are in the final again. We have to fight and if we want to change that, we need to win.
Arsenal lost both legs of their semi-final clash against PSG last season
Arsenal lost both legs of their semi-final clash against PSG last season(Adam Davy/PA)
“They were scary last year, and they’re still scary this year. So, nothing has changed. We know that if we want to beat them, we have to be 100 per cent because they are so, so good.
“They have a great attack. I know them because I play with them for the national team and we played against them last season.
“We have the best defence this season. And when you are the best, you want to play the best so we are so happy to have attackers like this to play against us next Saturday and I hope we will win that battle.”