Arsenal star now the world’s most valuable player in his position, it’s not Declan Rice

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Arsenal now have some of European football’s best performers in their squad, after back-to-back title challenges.

Mikel Arteta and Edu Gaspar have built one of the best young squads in Europe, and they have done well to sign up their best players to long-term contracts.

Arsenal could even be set to reap further rewards down the line as a result of this young squad building, as they are now the best-placed team to challenge for the title after Pep Guardiola leaves Manchester City, which could be as soon as next year.

Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard are two of Arsenal’s most important players, and both Saka and Odegaard rank in the top 10 most valuable players in the world.

Declan Rice has also been a revelation since his club-record move last summer, but there are other defensive midfielders who are ranked as more valuable such as Rodri of Manchester City.

One other Arsenal star is now the world’s most valuable in his own position though, and Arteta would likely not trade him for anyone.

Arsenal star William Saliba is the most valuable centre-back in the World

CIES Football Observatory have now published their rankings of the most valuable players in the World, and Arsenal star William Saliba ranks higher than any other centre-back.

Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol does rank higher than the Frenchman, but given that he has spent more time at left-back this season, he is counted as a full-back rather than a centre-back.

Saliba is valued at £89.6m, just ahead of Benfica centre-back Antonio Silva, who comes in at £86.9m.

Reported Arsenal striker target Benjamin Sesko is just below Saliba at £88.2m, but when it comes to central defenders, no one else comes above the Arsenal star.

Castello Lukeba of RB Leipzig and Giorgio Scalvini then follow Silva below Saliba, before his defensive partner Gabriel Magalhaes is then listed as being worth £69m.

What makes William Saliba’s market value so high?

Saliba is regarded by many to be the best centre-back in the Premier League, and Arsenal find themselves in a glorious position as he is still just 23 and on a long-term contract.

He is also durable, as Saliba became the first Arsenal player to appear in every single minute of a Premier League season, and his consistency is perhaps only matched by his partner Gabriel.

Arsenal had the statistically best defence in the Premier League thanks to Saliba, and not only does he bring a defensive ruggedness to the back line, but he combines this with incredible composure and technical ability on the ball, and there is perhaps no other centre-back as well rounded as him.