Gary Lineker has praised Arsenal central defender William Saliba on Match of the Day on BBC One (11:43pm, August 6, 2022).
The former Tottenham Hotspur striker was impressed by the display produced by Saliba in Arsenal’s 2-0 win against Crystal Palace away from home at Selhurst Park in the Premier League on Friday evening.
Saliba started the match and played for the entire 90 minutes.
It was the 21-year-old France international centre-back’s debut for Arsenal in the Premier League, and his performance impressed MOTD presenter Lineker.
Gary Lineker on Arsenal’s William Saliba
Lineker said about Saliba on Match of the Day on BBC One (11:43pm, August 6, 2022): “He looks exceptional, doesn’t he?”
Brilliant performance
In our view, Arsenal central defender William Saliba had a brilliant game against Crystal Palace and showed what he is capable of.
The youngster was brilliant defensively, passed the ball from the back well, made the right tackles at the right time, and did not lunge into challenges.
Saliba was calm and composed, both on the ball and off it, and looked at home in the Premier League.
Ben White and Gabriel are the two main centre-backs at Arsenal, but in Saliba, manager Mikel Arteta now has a very good option.
Saliba’s loan spells in France appear to have made him a better and more mature footballer, and Arsenal fans can enjoy a real gem in the France international.
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