Former Manchester United centre-back Rio Ferdinand is convinced that Arsenal’s centre-backs will give them the edge over Liverpool in this season’s title race.
Arsenal went top of the Premier League table on Saturday evening thanks to a hard-fought win on the road against Brentford. Mikel Arteta needed his defensive unit to dig his team out of trouble at times.
Both Declan Rice and Oleksandr Zinchenko produced goal-line blocks. Meanwhile, in the heart of the rearguard, William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes were solid throughout.
Since Saliba came into the side at the start of last season, the pair have built a dependable partnership together. It is in no small part down to their combined efforts that the Gunners have the best defensive record in the league as things stand. With thirteen games played, the north London club have conceded just ten times.
Against the Bees, Saliba and Gabriel were as solid as ever. As per WhoScored statistics, the pair won eleven aerial duels, made four clearances, two tackles, and one block between them.
They were also positive and progressive on the ball, consistently seeking to play penetrative passes through the heart of the Brentford midfield unit.
Arteta will know that it is vital that this duo remain fit and in form this season. Arsenal have already experienced the impact that Saliba’s absence can have. When the Frenchman sustained a significant injury last season it seemed to spark the collapse of the Gunners’ title push.
With Arsenal looking to go one step better this season and actually lay their hands on the Premier League trophy, they need Saliba and Gabriel to remain available. If they can do that, Rio Ferdinand believes that the pair produce a strong enough platform for Arsenal to build a strong challenge on.
Willam Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes tipped to be difference-makers for Arsenal
Both Arsenal and Liverpool are currently well placed to challenge reigning champions Manchester City this season. However, Rio Ferdinand is backing the Gunners over the Reds on the strength of their defence.
The former Manchester United man, who won six Premier League titles in his playing career in the heart of the Red Devils’ back line, recently said on TNT Sports, “the two centre-backs, they would be the reason I’d put them [Arsenal] ahead of Liverpool in the title race, to challenge someone like Manchester City.”
“You can trust those two implicitly…They’re bang on in form, and they only look like their partnership is going to grow.”
Both Saliba and Gabriel are relatively young, at 22-years-old and 25-years-old, respectively. Arteta and the Arsenal fanbase will be hoping that the pair can keep growing together and be a reliable partnership for the club for many years to come.
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