Arsenal had striker issues for a long time under Mikel Arteta.
The Gunners struggled without a natural centre-forward and were forced to deploy Kai Havertz and Mikel Merino in that role.
That problem was addressed in the summer with the signing of Viktor Gyokeres, and the Swede has started reasonably well, scoring three goals in six games.
Arsenal no longer have an issue up top, but if they do, one defender could potentially help solve it.
William Saliba says he used to be a striker like Zlatan Ibrahimovic
William Saliba is one of the best centre-backs in world football.
The Frenchman has been incredible for the Gunners at the back and has dealt with world-class attackers with considerable ease, time and again.
Saliba is all set to sign a new contract at Arsenal now, and he will continue to be their first-choice centre-back for the foreseeable future.
However, if Arsenal are really short of a centre-forward at some point, the France international could step in.
Saliba says he used to be a very good striker back in the day and has compared himself to Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
When asked what position he played in as a youngster, Saliba said: “When I was young, a striker and a midfielder. I started to be a centre-back when I was 14.”
Joe Thomlinson then asked if he was any good and who he played like.
The Arsenal defender replied: “Yeah, I was good. Zlatan! I was scoring a lot of goals. I did some trials as a striker, I swear, two or three or four clubs. They didn’t pick me, but it shows that I was good.”
Then, Saliba boasted about his goalscoring prowess by saying.
He said: “When I was young, (I scored) a lot! I was a killer. You can go in my city and ask, they will tell you!”
What Mikel Arteta has said about William Saliba as a striker
Arsenal were in big trouble in February this year.
Right after they failed to sign a new striker in the winter window, Havertz suffered a big injury, while Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli were out as well.
Arsenal had no options available and turned to Merino in the end. But, before that happened, Mikel Arteta revealed that Saliba offered to play up top.
He said, as per ESPN: “Willy always says, ‘I’ll play as a striker, I’ll play.
“Willy is so funny, straight away it was one of his reactions. It’s true as well that he played there. He used to score a lot of goals.”
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