Arsenal’s win over Chelsea was far from fluent but that hasn’t stopped Troy Deeney picking out two Gunners stars for his team of the week.
Goals from Jurrien Timber and William Saliba saw off the Blues to keep Arsenal’s lead at the top at five points.
It wasn’t a vintage display from the Gunners, and in the main, the attackers struggled. However, with Saliba and Timber both scoring, former Watford ace Troy Deeney has picked the duo in his latest XI of the week.
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Jurrien Timber and William Saliba make Troy Deeney’s team of the week
Speaking about Timber’s contribution, Deeney suggested (BBC) there was more to it than just his goal.
“Yes he scored, but he locked down the whole right-hand side so much that Chelsea were forced to try to go through the middle which made Arsenal’s defending so much easier.
As for Saliba, Deeney commended the Gunners ace as a ‘Rolls-Royce’ of a defender.
“Rolls-Royce of a centre-back, very comfortable throughout. He was a calming influence and read the game so well. His goal also helps.”
Interestingly, Alan Shearer also opted to select Timber in his Official Premier League XI for the weekend albeit Saliba didn’t quite get the nod from Shearer.
Arsenal’s defenders are key to title success in both boxes
We all know how good Arsenal are at set-pieces this season and it goes without saying that the likes of Saliba, Gabriel and Timber are beneficiaries of this.
However, it’s becoming ever more evident that these three players hold the key to Arsenal winning the league.
Not only are they chipping in with important goals but their impact in terms of their defensive contribution is also massive. Sure, there was no clean-sheet yesterday but they kept Chelsea’s big chances down to the bare minimum.
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Over the course of the season, this defensive solidity is keeping Arsenal in games and allowing them to sneak over the line by one goal.
As we saw yesterday, that is a vital trait to winning tight games.
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