Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes has lauded William Saliba following the Frenchman’s Premier League debut for the Gunners on Friday night which saw the centre-back named Man of the Match following a 2-0 win.
Speaking to the Evening Standard, the Brazilian titan showed his newest defensive partner with praise after Saliba finally made his professional debut for the Gunners three years after signing for Arsenal from Saint-Etienne for a reported £27m.
Saliba was named Man of the Match after an incredible performance at Selhurst Park which saw Mikel Arteta’s side get off to a dream start in the Premier League, with the France international impressing Arsenal supporters and pundits for his assertive performance against Palace.
The defender impressed in pre-season, and due to current injuries, Ben White, who partnered Gabriel last season in the league, has been pushed out to right-back with Takehiro Tomiyasu currently out on the sideline, yet the move from the Arsenal manager has been incredible.
Arsenal are yet to concede a goal with Saliba and Gabriel starting as a centre-back pairing with White playing out on the right, and for the Brazilian defender, Arteta’s decision to bring the 21-year-old youngster into the fold has been an incredible one that has already made a huge impact.
Gabriel said on Saliba’s Premier League debut for Arsenal against Palace: “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.”
Gabriel and Saliba can take Arsenal’s defence to the next level
Not many would have guessed Saliba to already replace White as one of Arsenal’s main starting centre-backs, but with the England international enjoying success out on the right and Gabriel already striking a partnership with his French counterpart, something special could be in the works for the Gunners.
Indeed, Saliba has been waiting for his chance to play for Arsenal since 2019, and with the defender now in the starting XI and seemingly already irreplaceable, the youngster and Gabriel could form the basis of Arteta’s best defence yet as manager of the north London side.
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