Thierry Henry says William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes ‘allow Arsenal to play’ from the back and that is something ‘we could not do for a long time’.
The Arsenal legend added that Mikel Arteta’s side can do that ‘at will’ and ‘repeat the same’ that’s why they are the best team in England right now.
Manchester City may well be the champions and the dominant force in recent years, but they might just have a surprise package heading their way this season in the form of the north London club.
During his days as a coach at Manchester City, Arteta would have learnt a lot from Pep Guardiola, but after a few years of struggle, things are now starting to seriously tick for the team and their manager.
A lot of that is down to the foundations Arteta has built at the back, the personnel he has brought in and how he has nurtured certain individuals.
Gabriel was Arteta’s signing, whilst despite the outside noise, he remained patient with Saliba and Henry is now praising the two defenders, as he told CBS Sports on Paramount+ (25/10/22 at 7:25 pm).
“Saliba and Gabriel allow you to play in the back four, things we could not do for a long time,” said Henry. “At will and they will repeat the same.”
SALIBA IS COOKING
Ben White didn’t do much wrong, in fact, he didn’t do anything wrong to lose his regular starting place at the heart of Arsenal’s defence.
But that tactical tweak by Arteta has worked wonders because Saliba could argue he has been the best centre-back in the Premier League this season.
Whilst many are wondering why White wasn’t selected by Gareth Southgate during England’s most-recent international fixtures.
But with Reece James set to miss the 2022 World Cup in Qatar because of injury and Harry Maguire only playing over 200 odd minutes this term, then White deserves that all-important plane ticket to the Middle East next month.
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