Is William Saliba the man to shore up Arsenal’s defence?

 
William Saliba

Is William Saliba the man to shore up Arsenal’s defence?

After spending three years out on loan, William Saliba finally got the chance to show what he can do in the Premier League. 

The 21-year-old’s MOTM debut against Crystal Palace last Friday had pundits and pros alike raving about his composure, maturity and class. 

Mikel Arteta clearly trusted the French international to throw him into the pressure cooker of Selhurst Park under the lights for the 2021/22 curtain raiser. 

And afterwards, the manager added his own plaudits to the almost universal acclaim Saliba received following the2-0 win. 

“You don’t really see that, at 21 years old, debut in the Premier League, against this opponent, against physical players – and resolve that situation the way he has done it,” Arteta said. 

“With that composure, with that calmness and with that presence. So big credit to the boy. I wanted to let him be and let him play, that’s the way we have tried to develop that player. 

“To sign him at 18-years-old and bring him back two years later is something unusual and he has been so determined and willing to come here and now proved the point that he is ready. 

“Now we are exposing the player in a really difficult environment where he can navigate and enjoy it and be comfortable.” 

Central defensive partner Gabriel added: “For me, he’s the best! He’s very young, very promising and a very good player. 

“I am so happy to play with him, together. He has now started in the Premier League, and he was so good.” 

There were question marks over whether Saliba would regularly start for Arsenal at centre-back this season, and they will undoubtedly return when Takehiro Tomiyasu returns from injury. 

Without a fit and reliable right back at the club, Ben White will surely continue to deputise ahead of Cedric Soares. 

And not many would complain if Saliba continued his form from last season for Marseille, where he was named Ligue 1 Young Player of the Season and partnered Marquinhos in the Team of the Year. 

This is not to say Ben White is a liability at the heart of Arsenal’s defence, or even that he’s a worse option than the young Frenchman. 

While Gabriel is an excellent one-on-one defender, adept at winning physical battles but nerve-inducing in possession, White is the opposite: exceptional on the ball but at risk of being bullied by powerful strikers. 

Saliba, on the other hand, appears to be strike a happy medium – just as comfortable playing out from the back as he is nullifying the opposition’s threat. 

Perhaps then, it would be wise for Arteta to pick and choose his centre-halves on a game-by-game basis, opting for Saliba in games against physical forwards and White in matches Arsenal will be expected to have most of the ball. 

In any case, Saliba has given Arteta a very welcome problem, and Arsenal’s defensive options have never looked more assured.

PHOTO CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES

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