William Saliba says he’s ‘shocked’ at how good £30m Arsenal star has become

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By a lot of estimations, William Saliba has become one of Arsenal’s most important players since he signed for the club back in 2019.

Mikel Arteta has carefully nurtured Saliba’s potential at Arsenal, he didn’t throw him straight into the spotlight.

Perhaps some similarities can be drawn with how Arteta is holding Ethan Nwaneri back right now, even if he seems unlikely to head out on loan in similar fashion.

But like Nwaneri will hope to one day do at the Emirates Stadium, Saliba has fulfilled his potential and become crucial for Arsenal.

The defender is arguably now one of three players Arteta simply can’t afford to be without, alongside Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard.

William Saliba shares why Martin Odegaard has ‘shocked’ him at Arsenal

That being said, Saliba has now been praising his Arsenal captain, Odegaard, after his side’s brilliant 5-1 win away to Sporting CP.

Neither Saliba or Odegaard were on the scoresheet in Lisbon, but both were incredibly good, instrumental performers in Arsenal’s win.

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Speaking since, via journalist Sam Dean who shared the quotes on X, Saliba has now been lauding Odegaard, who has made a dramatic difference since his return to fitness.

Arsenal haven’t lost when Odegaard has started this season – he was missing through injury during defeats to Bournemouth and Newcastle United and wasn’t able to start against Inter Milan.

And on evidence post-international break, the Gunners are in safe hands with their captain back around, a player with quality that’s almost left Saliba in disbelief.

Saliba said: “He is one of the best players in the world. You can see we are better with him.

“Honestly, every game I’m shocked because he is doing something new on the field that you haven’t seen.”

Odegaard has also explained why Saliba is so important for Arsenal

Speaking earlier this year in March, after Saliba delivered a stunning performance against Manchester City, Odegaard was complimentary about his French teammate in similar fashion.

The Arsenal captain claimed that any team in the world would miss such a ‘brilliant’ defender, one Arteta was lucky to have.

Odegaard said: “Any team in the world would miss Saliba, we’re lucky to have him – glad he’s fit, brilliant performance and a brilliant player.”

Perhaps one Arsenal player is mirroring Odegaard’s importance since the international break, one that’s going under the radar.

But with their captain back, it’s clear to see that this Arsenal team are pulling in the right direction once again, with big aspirations for the future.