Emmanuel Petit has shared how Arsenal’s new thriving star William Saliba has made a ‘big impression’ in France and how he wasn’t initially sure Mikel Arteta wanted him.
The Arsenal legend added that Saliba has showcased ‘more responsibility and ‘maturity’ to his game during these past few seasons and now that he is donning senior Arsenal colours.
Not many players would have waited as long as Saliba has for his Arsenal debut, but despite being signed in 2019 when Unai Emery was in the dugout, it was only until August 2022, away at Crystal Palace, when he finally made his senior bow.
And it’s fair to say that the 21-year-old, who is now standing alongside Gabriel Magalhaes at the heart of the club’s defence, has seriously elevated the team.
Ben White and Gabriel did pretty well last season, but Arteta made the bold call to switch the England World Cup hopeful to right-back and partner Saliba with Gabriel instead.
And with the Gunners sitting at the top of the Premier League tree, including beating Tottenham in the north London derby over the weekend, it’s working out pretty well so far.
Petit would have seen his fellow countryman’s progression during the past few years and the former midfielder shared what he is liking about Saliba’s game now, as he told Premier League Productions (01/10/22 at 12:15 pm).
“He made a big impression back in France when he was playing in Marseille,” said Petit.
“He has also earned his France caps with the national team because he was brilliant all season. I think he came back to the club, he wasn’t sure Arteta wanted him to play him and he wanted some guarantees.
“He has shown maturity for the last two seasons and leadership in the middle of the defence. He played well, that’s the most important. He has grown up as a person and a football player.
“I think he has taken more responsibility and he has shown more confidence as well – Saliba has stabilised the defence and they are getting more confidence.”
WHO IS PERFORMING BETTER THAN SALIBA?
Not many players or centre-backs can put their name forward and claim to be performing better than Saliba, at this moment in time.
Last season, Ben White got injured at the wrong time for Arsenal, during the crunch moments of the season, which ended up proving to be costly during their Champions League chase.
Well, whilst they don’t want those injury problems to knock on their door again, if they are in that type of bother again, then they don’t have much to worry about because Arteta now has added depth.
From Saliba to Oleksandr Zinchenko, who is another player that has made an impression following his summer transfer from Manchester City.
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