Five Arsenal players were named in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year for 2023/24, but William Saliba is stealing the spotlight.
Arsenal had five representatives in the Team of the Year for the first time since the Invincible campaign of 2003/04.
The 2023/24 edition of the awards ceremony broke the 20-year record at Arsenal for the most players in the Premier League’s elite squad.
David Raya, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard were named in the XI, with there an argument to be made for several other Arsenal stars too.
The likes of Bukayo Saka and Ben White missed out, telling of how far Arsenal have come in recent years.
While the five players will earn applause for their individual efforts over the 2023/24 campaign, one Gunner is standing out above the rest on social media.
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Arsenal fans praise William Saliba after being named in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year
Saliba is arguably the most important player in Mikel Arteta’s squad, as many saw during the latter stages of the 2022/23 campaign when the defender was absent through injury.
The Gunners crumbled without the Frenchman, with his importance and growth at Arsenal so early into his career now celebrated.
While being named in the Team of the Season is a monumental achievement, it’s something that’s become a thing of normality for Saliba.
Arsenal fans in their thousands took to X to celebrate their centre-back’s success, with a clear opinion shared by all.
“The best centre-back in the world,” one supporter said, with another agreeing, “William Saliba makes football look so easy. Best CB in the world.”
Fans continued to shower Saliba with praise, calling him the best centre-back in the league and in some cases, the world.
“Imagine thinking Saliba isn’t top 3 CBs in the world,” and “Enough time has passed. William Saliba is the Best CB in the Premier League.”
One supporter described the France international as “world-class”, addressing the 23-year-old’s doubters.
“To you all still doubting his capabilities and still denying the fact that he is the best in his position. William Saliba. Elite Baller. World class.”
Saliba was named in the Ligue 1 Team of the Season for 2021/22 and the Premier League Team of the Season for both 2022/23 and 2023/24, recording three consecutive Team of the Year awards.
While fans won’t want to get carried away, one supporter couldn’t help but praise the Frenchman’s quality, “Realistically speaking what’s stopping William Saliba from becoming the greatest CB in football history?”
Another said, “Saliba is in the elite bracket when it comes to best CBs to ever grace the sport.”
Saliba has very few doubters
The rivalries in the Premier League are one thing that makes the English top-flight so exciting however, few fans can argue that Saliba is nearing an elite bracket.
At just 23, the Arsenal star has gone from strength to strength, excelling on every path that has led him to become one of the pillars of Arteta’s success in North London.
Supporters are right to shower the defender with high praise after being named in his third consecutive Team of the Season, with the world-class label never far from Saliba’s name.
While being applauded for hard work and quality is important, the Frenchman will have full focus on continuing to elevate his game as the season ahead must end in silverware for the Gunners.
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