What makes the perfect central defender in the Premier League today?
Arsenal are blessed to have two outstanding performers at the back. William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes.
The latter is the senior out of the two at the age of 26, whilst William Saliba is four years younger and probably considered the best out of the Arsenal duo.
Former England defender Conor Coady was told to build his dream centre-back and he had a number of attributes to pick from.
One of them included positioning and which Premier League player he believes best fits that category, as he didn’t hesitate in putting forward William Saliba’s name, as he told Premier League Productions (19/02/24 at 11:25 pm).
Conor Coady stated that the France international has been ‘fantastic’ for Arsenal during these past few seasons and there is no doubt that the Premier League title-chasing side are a ‘great team’.
This time last season, the Gunners were shooting themselves in the foot and blowing their chances of becoming champions of England, before Manchester City swarmed in and took control.
It needs to be noted that William Saliba missed those final few months through injury and if Arsenal want to put those wrongs right, then they need their star defender to remain fit.
Building a dream Premier League centre-back – Positioning
“Positioning, there were a few defenders I was thinking of when I was sat on the couch last night and writing a few things down and having a look into it,” said Coady when building his dream centre-back.
“I think he (Saliba) has been fantastic for the last couple of years, in this great Arsenal team and this is a great Arsenal team, no matter what people think.
“I think he has been brilliant over the last couple of years – I think, for defenders, not many people speak about awareness. You have to be aware as a defender because you are constantly on that half-turn. He is giving himself one or two yards there just to let people know that if you are going to run across me, then I am going to get you. If you are going to run behind me, then I am going to get you, so you are going to go anywhere.”
William Saliba’s importance
As mentioned above, Saliba’s injury towards the back end of last season hurt Arsenal pretty hard and fans will be praying he is wrapped in cotton wool during these coming months.
People can talk all they want about Arsenal needing a striker and how they need to sign one to win the Premier League title.
But it’s the defence that is going to get them over the line.
As of this moment, Arsenal have the best defence in the Premier League. If that is maintained, then there is no reason why they can’t end their long wait to become champions of England again.
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