Mikel Arteta promised Martin Keown that he will pass on the Arsenal legend’s praise for William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes silencing Manchester City’s Erling Haaland.
The Gunners great appreciated how Saliba and Gabriel ‘ate’ Haaland at Emirates Stadium on Sunday. Arsenal dealt Manchester City a 1-0 defeat in north London to move joint-top of the Premier League table. It was also their first win over the Citizens in the top-flight since 2015.
Haaland offered a largely anonymous figure at Arsenal as Manchester City struggled to work chances for the Norway goal machine. The 23-year-old currently leads the Golden Boot race with eight from eight games. Yet he did not take any of the Citizens’ four shots last weekend.
Arteta promises to pass on Keown’s praise for Arsenal’s Saliba and Gabriel
Manchester City posed next to no threat to Arsenal over most of their time in north London last Sunday. Saliba and Gabriel kept more than a lid on Haaland, too, with only four of his 23 touches coming inside David Raya’s area. He also took as many inside the Citizens’ own half.
Saliba and Gabriel could file a missing person’s report for Haaland after he failed to threaten Arteta’s central pairing. Keown was also quick to praise the duo for their role in silencing the 2022/23 36-goal Golden Boot winner when he spoke to Arteta after edging Manchester City.
Keown said whilst working for Stadium Astro: “I just want to say, by the way, the two central defenders – as an ex-central defender for Arsenal – they were immense today.
“Saliba and Gabriel, they ate Haaland! And it’s not often you can say that because he’s a wonderful player. But they were really, physically top-class if you want to pass that on.”
Arteta was quick to reply: “Please tell them [yourself!] When you see them around, please tell them! I will pass the message on.”
Saliba was almost faultless as Haaland went missing for Manchester City
Saliba won his two attempted tackles and made two clearances as Arsenal beat Manchester City and Haaland 1-0, per SofaScore. The 22-year-old further won his two ground duels and sole aerial duel. Gabriel made three interceptions, one tackle and blocked one shot, as well.
Gabriel further won two of his three ground duels and one of three in the air. While Haaland won just one of his two ground duels and two of his five aerial duels. The striker further lost possession eight times, having also only completed 11 of his 16 attempted passes all match.
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