Arsenal starlet William Saliba has won possession more times than any defender in the Premier League season, as per an official stat.
The £40,000-a-week man has been a revelation since returning from his loan stint at Marseille, with Kevin Campbell going as far as to say that he is a ‘level above’ Ben White already. Gunners legend Alan Smith said he is ‘elegance personified’ and described him as a ‘Rolls Royce’ centre-half as well.
The stat certainly back up all the praise William Saliba has been getting this campaign, as he has won possession more times than any other defender in the Premier League.
Stat: How many times has Saliba won possession in the Premier League this season?
The ‘outstanding’ 21-year-old has been a transformative presence to the side’s defence this term, forming one of the most dependable centre-back pairings in the country alongside Gabriel Magalhaes.
William Saliba has often been compared to Rio Ferdinand and Virgil van Dijk for how comfortable he is on the ball and how composed he is in handling defensive situations.
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The stats back this up as the Premier League revealed that Saliba had won possession 206 times this season. For context, not only is the youngster in the top five of this list, but is the only centre-half in and amongst four defensive midfielders.
Arsenal have a special talent in their ranks
Considering the former Saint-Etienne man is only playing his first season in the English top-flight, it is incredibly impressive how he has looked the part since day one.
If Arsenal do go on to win the Premier League, William Saliba will be remembered as one of their biggest contributors, especially as a stat like him having won possession more than any other defender in the division emphasises his influence.
To be this instrumental to the best team in English football is ridiculous.
In other news, West Ham will bid £17.5m to stop Mourinho signing 'young Drogba' Mbala Nzola