Mikel Arteta says he hopes David Luiz can help William Saliba settle in at Arsenal next season.
The French teenage centre-back signed for the Gunners last year, but he remained on loan at Saint-Etienne on a year-long deal.
Saliba is due to join up with his new Arsenal teammates this summer, after the Gunners failed to agree a deal with Saint-Etienne for the 19-year-old to play in the Coupe de France final on July 24.
But ahead of his arrival in north London, Arsenal boss Arteta says he hopes Luiz can play a key role in Saliba's development at the Emirates.
"I'm sure about how he is going to treat him, how he is going to look after him, how he is going to guide him," Arteta told Sky Sports.
"The young players need stable players around them with experience who have lots of leadership. The way David supports them is very important to us."
Ahead of next season, much as been made of Saliba's potential after his impressive displays in Ligue 1, but Arteta is keen to not put too much pressure on the defender's shoulders.
"I am excited to work with him but I am worried about the expectations because I know how difficult it is to play as a central defender in this country," he said.
"It is one of the most complicated positions here. The step is really, really big. William had a really positive season last year, but he has had a really difficult one this year with injuries.
"We know where the potential is, but to fulfil that potential every three days at the highest level is a different task. So, tranquilo [relax].
"He is, in my opinion, in phase one or two of his development. He has a lot of things to learn but hopefully, we can give him the right environment to make that process very quick.
"I know the player. He has the right mentality, the right attitude, the right physique.
"But he needs to fit in and that's something nobody knows until the moment he lands in that dressing room."
