Arsenal have been the best team in the Premier League this season.
The Gunners are currently four points clear at the top of the table, and Opta have given them an 80 per cent chance of winning the title this term.
Opta says Arsenal have an 80 per cent chance of winning the Premier League this season. What percentage chance would you give the Gunners?
That is down to the brilliance of Mikel Arteta and his players, many of whom deserve to be in the Premier League Team of the Season so far.
However, former Manchester United star Phil Jones has snubbed one key Gunners star – William Saliba.
Phil Jones picks ex-Arsenal defender Dan Ballard ahead of William Saliba in his Team of the Season
Saliba is one of the best centre-backs on the planet, and he has had a fine season so far.
The Frenchman has had his injury troubles, but whenever he has played, he has been exceptional – irrespective of who plays beside him.
Gabriel Magalhaes has missed over a month of the season due to his own injury, but the Brazilian has made it into Jones’ Premier League Team of the Season.
Saliba would’ve been the obvious option next to him, but the former Manchester United centre-half went with Daniel Ballard instead.
The 26-year-old, who was once a part of the Arsenal academy but was sold to Sunderland for just £2 million (talkSPORT), has been incredible for the Black Cats this season.
He even scored a fine goal against the Gunners before the November international break, causing Arteta’s men to drop two points at the Stadium of Light.
After picking him over Saliba and others, Jones said on Sports Illustrated FC: “Dan Ballard, I think he’s been terrific this season.
“We spoke about him on a couple of shows ago. He has been a monster at the back for them this season.”
Have Arsenal ever had a better defensive partnership than William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes? If yes, tell us who!
William Saliba’s performances for Arsenal are going unnoticed
Gabriel made it into Jones’ Premier League Team of the Season and rightly so. He is the best centre-half in world football right now.
However, Saliba should’ve been there right next to him.
The Frenchman has missed four league games due to injury, but he has still played a big part in helping the Gunners maintain the best defence in the English top-flight.
Furthermore, Saliba does all the dirty work to help Arsenal score from set-pieces, which deserves more praise.
Ballard is having a fine season, and he definitely is worthy of all the praise he is getting. However, has he been better than Saliba this term? We don’t think so!
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