One of the raging debates in the Premier League over the past year has been who is the best defender: Virgil van Dijk, William Saliba or Gabriel Magalhaes.
Last season, Van Dijk beat the Arsenal duo to the Premier League title, but this time around, the Gunners look set to exact revenge, sitting eight points clear of the Reds.
Right now, it’s hard to argue against Gabriel being the best defender in world football, with the Brazilian making an excellent start to the new campaign.
Saliba has also shone for Arsenal this term; meanwhile, it has been a tricky start for the Liverpool captain, who has looked well off the pace.
Speaking about the debate as to who is the best defender, Ledley King has given his honest take on which player he would pick.
Ledley King picks Virgil van Dijk over William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes
Ledley King has actually picked Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk ahead of Arsenal’s defensive duo of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes.
Saliba and Gabriel are undoubtedly the best pairing in the Premier League, but in terms of individuals, the former Spurs man still thinks Van Dijk is the best.
The Liverpool captain has struggled for the Reds this season, who have dropped into eighth place following a run of five defeats in six Premier League games.
Arne Slot’s team have already conceded 17 times in the league this season, whereas the Gunners have let in just five.
Meanwhile, Saliba and Gabriel played a key role in helping Arsenal go 13 hours without conceding in all competitions, with that run being ended at the Stadium of Light.
Van Dijk has a strong legacy at Anfield, but in their current form, both Saliba and Gabriel should be ahead of the Dutch international.
Ledley King also picks between Sol Campbell and Jaap Stam
Arsenal fans will be even more livid with the ex-Tottenham captain, who has also selected Jaap Stam ahead of his former teammate, Sol Campbell.
King and Campbell both came through the academy in N17, before the latter made the controversial switch across North London.
| Player | Apps | Clean sheets |
| Sol Campbell | 503 | 153 |
| Jaap Stam | 79 | 22 |
Stam and Campbell are two Premier League icons, but what the Arsenal star did during the Invincibles season should cement his legacy ahead of the Man United man.
King eventually went on to name the legendary AC Milan captain Paolo Maldini as the greatest defender of all time.
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