Former Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker has now revealed where he ranks William Saliba against some Premier League greats.
Arsenal academy director Per Mertesacker has now revealed just how highly he thinks of William Saliba.
The 23-year-old impressed for France at Euro 2024 this summer. The French media praised Saliba for his performance against Spain last night, even though Les Bleus were beaten in that semi-final clash in Munich.
It will have come as no surprise to Mikel Arteta or fans of the North London club to see the centre-back shining on the international stage. Saliba proved when facing elite opposition with Arsenal last season that he is a big game player who can rise to the grand occasion.
The player’s prowess, reliability, composure, and consistency is all the more remarkable given his relative youth. Certainly, for a player in his position, he has already reached an extraordinary level. Few would now bet against Saliba being a first choice pick for France for the next decade or so.
The 21-cap international is already being compared with some modern greats of the game.
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Per Mertesacker ranks Arsenal star William Saliba against Ruben Dias, Kolo Toure, and Virgil van Dijk
In a recent video clip posted to X by Mail Sport, Mertesacker was asked to rank centre-backs against one another. Saliba was pitted against former Manchester United ace Jaap Stam, Manchester City’s Ruben Dias, Arsenal legend Kolo Toure, the German himself, and Liverpool icons Virgil van Dijk and Jamie Carragher.
Mertesacker sided with Saliba above all of these contenders. It wasn’t until he was pitted against Arsenal great Tony Adams that 39-year-old ranked a player above the current Arsenal gem.
There was perhaps some Arsenal bias to Mertesacker’s answers, as in terms of silverware won, Saliba does not yet come close to the likes of Dias or van Dijk, who are still competing at the highest level in the Premier League, of course.
Yet it is another huge compliment to Saliba that he is already being factored into these conversations, and his name is being mentioned alongside such greats.
Does Saliba need more support at Arsenal?
Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes formed the best centre-back partnership in the Premier League last season. There is no doubt that this duo will continue to be integral to the North London club. However, there is an argument that Arteta is too reliant upon the pair.
It would seem that the manager is now seeking to address this. Arsenal are now working on a deal for Riccardo Calafiori. As a left-footer, the Italian would offer natural back up to Gabriel.
However, as Saliba made Arsenal history last season by becoming the first outfield player to ever play every minute of a Premier League campaign for the club, it would seem that a trusted rotation option is needed for him too.
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