Rio Ferdinand says £27m Arsenal player has a real ‘chip on his shoulder’

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Arsenal’s summer transfer business ended in style with the capture of Piero Hincapie on deadline day.

Mikel Arteta was impressed with Hincapie’s versatility and has brought the defender to the club on loan with an option to buy next summer.

The Gunners are now heading off on the first international break of the season, leaving Arteta with a chance to dissect the defeat at Anfield.

Arsenal lacked a real cutting edge in the clash with Liverpool but Rio Ferdinand thinks he has spotted a player with a ‘chip on his shoulder’ in the ranks.

READ MORE: Peter Schmeichel says Mikel Arteta did something vs Liverpool that genuinely made him ‘angry’

Rio Ferdinand thinks William Saliba has a ‘chip on his shoulder’

Speaking on the latest episode of the ‘Rio Ferdinand Presents’ podcast, the former Manchester United defender has claimed that William Saliba has a ‘chip on his shoulder’.

The pundit expressed his opinion in a positive way however, explaining that Saliba’s authority as a person translates to his performances on the pitch.

Ferdinand stated: “What you need to have in them situations and I think he’s got it and Saliba’s got it as well and I think more of them need to have it at Arsenal.

“You need to have a chip on your shoulder. You need to have a chip on your shoulder. They’re saying like I’m going to these events and I ain’t smiling with anyone. I ain’t frilling up with nobody.

“We need to make this a real real war now. We need to hate you. And I think that’s that’s what I don’t see in the game as much today.”

Saliba will miss international duty with France after sustaining an ankle injury in the warm-up of the Liverpool clash and it is not yet known how long the Gunners will be without their star defender.

The 24-year-old arrived at the Gunners in a £27m deal back in 2019 and is still in talks with Andrea Berta over extending his contract at the club.

Cristhian Mosquera has proven he can deputise for William Saliba

An injury to Saliba in recent seasons would have sent panic sweeping across the Arsenal fanbase, however, new signing Cristhian Mosquera has eased those concerns.

Fans were impressed with Mosquera on his Premier League debut and how he dealt with the cauldron that is playing away to Liverpool.

The young defender looked athletic, strong in the duels and was composed in possession – all traits that Saliba has mastered over the years.

Arteta’s defensive depth is incredible after the arrival of Hincapie but he will be hoping that he has all eight candidates to choose from most weeks.