Bobby Zamora has put one former Arsenal defender in the same category as Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk.
William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes are two of the best in the Premier League, alongside Van Dijk.
What the Liverpool captain has over the Arsenal duo is longevity, having performed at the highest level for many years.
The Dutchman’s form on Merseyside over the years has had pundits talking about where the 31-year-old ranks amongst the Premier League’s best of all time.
Zamora thinks one former Arsenal defender would’ve rubbed shoulders with Van Dijk in today’s game, the figure being none other than Sol Campbell.
Bobby Zamora says Sol Campbell was at Virgil van Dijk’s level
From Saliba and Gabriel today to the likes of Tony Adams, Martin Keown, and Campbell then, Arsenal have housed some of the Premier League’s very best.
Campbell is a cult hero at Arsenal, mainly because of his infamous decision to leave Tottenham for the Gunners in 2001.
Spurs fans are still struggling to digest what Campbell did, but it’s not only his transfer decision that left those in N17 red-faced, with the centre-back being of world-class quality.
Campbell isn’t shy to share his opinion on his past level, and Zamora certainly thinks the Englishman is well within his rights to sing his own praises.
Speaking on the Beast Mode On podcast, Zamora was asked how Van Dijk would compare to those from earlier eras.
“Virgil’s obviously elite, listen, there’s not a vast amount of difference between them,” Zamora began.
“He’s big, he’s strong, he reads the game, he’s fast. But that’s an ultra-elite. That’s one of five in the world.
“I played against him when he was at Southampton, but the likes of John Terry, Carvalho, Rio, Vidic, Campbell, those big, strong defenders who could understand and read the game, they could still do everything they could do then in today’s game, with ease.”
Zamora was firm in his belief that Campbell, among other Premier League greats, would stand the test of time and be able to maintain their level against the quality of forwards in the league today.
Tottenham are still hurt by Campbell’s transfer
“I’m staying,” were Campbell’s famous last words as Tottenham captain before making the move across North London to sign for Arsenal.
As Zamora’s take on the defender reinforces, Spurs not only lost their captain to their rivals, but one of England’s best central defenders as well.
It’s no surprise that Spurs still can’t get their heads around Campbell’s move, as the Englishman really rubbed salt in the wounds.
Not only did the 73-capped England international win the double in his first season at Arsenal, but then won the Premier League at White Hart Lane three years later.
Campbell won the league twice at Arsenal, as well as winning three FA Cups and one Community Shield medal.
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