Meanwhile, Didier Deschamps moved to reassure France supporters that a back complaint will not prevent the centre-half from featuring in his country's final World Cup warm-up match against Northern Ireland.
Saliba spoke to L'Équipe ahead of the tournament, reflecting on years of finishing runners-up before Arsenal's historic first league title in 22 seasons.
"There was a lot of mockery. Even when we were first, they said we would crumble at some point. That's banter, that's football — if you want to change that, you just have to win. We won and they can no longer speak."
He was equally combative about the characterisation of Arsenal as a team that merely defends and relies on set-pieces.
"The first season I arrived (2022-23), we played incredible football — that's the season I say we deserved the title. As usual, people mocked us, we were second.
"The second season, we were second again, and last season, we played well, we also came second. This season, I don't agree with what people say, as if we were a team that just kicks long.
"We also play football — it's true that we score a lot more from set-pieces, it's incredible. And now, in the Premier League, you see everyone doing long throws, playing on corners. It's not just us, we just score more than the others."
Saliba was rested for France's 2-1 friendly defeat to Ivory Coast on Thursday with a back complaint that has been managed by the coaching staff over several weeks. Deschamps was asked about the situation on Téléfoot on Sunday and was calm about the prognosis.
"He is being looked after by the medical staff. We also manage him according to how he feels. It's something he has had for several weeks, but it hasn't prevented him from playing matches with Arsenal, including this final where he played 120 minutes."
France face Northern Ireland in their final warm-up fixture before departing for North America on June 10.