Ray Parlour says there’s something everyone seems to forget about William Saliba at Arsenal

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Arsenal legend Ray Parlour thinks one element of William Saliba’s career isn’t spoken about enough.

Saliba is known as one of the best centre-backs in the world, with his partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes something that has completely transformed Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta hasn’t looked back since giving the 24-year-old a chance in the 2022/23 season on the back of the Frenchman partaking in three loan spells back in France.

Gone are the times when Arteta was desperate to send Saliba out on loan, as now, Arsenal couldn’t imagine life without their defender.

• READ MORE: Ledley King issues verdict on if William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes are better than Virgil van Dijk

Ray Parlour says people forget how young William Saliba is

It’s easy to look at Saliba and consider him to be among the world’s best central defenders, but it’s just as easy to forget how early the France international still is in his career.

Saliba’s age was a talking point on talkSPORT, when Ray Parlour felt the need to remind listeners that the defender is still only 24.

The discussion came when Parlour was discussing Gabriel Magalhaes’ injury and who could replace the Brazilian.

“Mosquera would be [an option], Hincapie, they’re both young players, 23 and 21,” Parlour said before stating, “and Saliba’s a young man. People forget Saliba is young.”

Due to the status that Saliba holds in world football, it’s clear to see how his age is something that often falls under the radar.

Saliba’s career achievements at 24 are incredible

As mentioned, Arsenal have been transformed by Saliba’s emergence in 2022, but even before then, the Frenchman had created a name for himself in Europe.

After spending time on loan with Saint Etienne, OGC Nice and Marseille, Saliba had doubts about whether he had a future at Arsenal, but the defender’s achievements in France spoke for themselves.

In the 2021/22 season, Saliba was crowned the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year and earned a spot in the Ligue 1 Team of the Year.

Since cementing his spot at Arsenal, the personal accolades have kept coming for Saliba, who has since been named in three further Team of the Year’s.

At just 24, Saliba has achieved things that players would be satisfied with in the entirety of their career, telling of the incredible future that awaits the centre-back.