Remarkable stat now shows why one star is Arsenal’s most important, it’s not Saka

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Arsenal are now top of the Premier League following their victory over Brentford, and are looking to challenge for the title again.

Mikel Arteta’s side led the table for most of last season, before seeing their challenge collapse in the final two months of the season, and an injury to William Saliba was a big factor behind this.

Saliba joined the Arsenal squad at the start of last season after a few years out on loan, and instantly settled, helping bridge the gap between a fifth-placed finish and a title challenge.

Whilst Arsenal have two world-class players in Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka who may be considered undroppable, Saliba is arguably more important than both.

William Saliba is Arsenal’s most important player

Following the victory and clean sheet over Brentford, Saliba has now played 40 Premier League games for Arsenal, with 27 coming before his injury last season, and 13 coming in this campaign.

Saliba has the highest win percentage of any Arsenal player in the Premier League, winning an astonishing 75% of his matches in the competition. Saliba has lost just four league games, and won 30 of his 40 appearances.

His losses came in unlucky defeats to Manchester United and Manchester City last season, a poor team display at Everton and this season’s controversial loss to Newcastle.

Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus both arrived at the start of last season as well, and both also boast excellent win rates, with the Ukrainian winning 69% of his league appearances with Arsenal, and Jesus winning 67%.

Arsenal’s collapse without Saliba

Arsenal struggled without Saliba last season, as Rob Holding failed to replace his commanding presence in the back line.

2-2 draws with Liverpool and West Ham, a 3-3 draw with Southampton, and heavy defeats to Manchester City and Brighton highlighted how Arsenal’s defence had lost a key component in Saliba’s absence.

Arsenal statistically have the best defence in the Premier League, and have also kept the most clean sheets this season.

In away games, Arsenal have conceded just three times in six games, with two of the goals coming at Chelsea and one at Newcastle, and all three goals were more bad luck rather than exposing any defensive issues.

Saliba, as well as partner Gabriel Magalhaes, are now the bedrock for Arsenal’s incredibly solid defence, and if the Frenchman can stay fit, then Arteta’s side will likely be in the title conversation.