Cesc Fabregas and Rio Ferdinand heap praise on Arsenal defender William Saliba after Tottenham win
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Cesc Fabregas and Rio Ferdinand heaped praise on William Saliba after the Arsenal defender impressed again during the Gunners’ 3-1 win over Tottenham.
Arsenal signed Saliba for £27m back in 2019 after the Frenchman excelled as a youngster with Saint-Etienne.
However, he spent three successive seasons out on loan in France at Saint-Etienne, Nice and then Marseille last season, where he was voted Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year.
William Saliba impressed again during Arsenal’s 3-1 win over Tottenham at the Emirates
This meant that he had to wait three years for his Arsenal debut but Saliba has excelled since returning to the club.
The 21-year-old has played seven times and scored twice, while he has also broken into the France team, winning seven caps for his coutnry.
And, following an assured display in dealing with Harry Kane in the north London derby, former Arsenal star Fabregas was full of praise for Saliba.
‘The man of the match could have been several players,’ he told BT Sport after the game.
Former Arsenal star Cesc Fabregas was full of praise for Saliba and backed him to kick on
‘I would like to mention someone who was so good but no one has mentioned him becasue he made it look so easy – Saliba.
‘This boy was in France for three years and I have watched him very closely. I was tipped off three years ago by an Arsenal scout when I was playing St Etienne for Monaco about this boy who they were interested in signing.
‘That night, he was the best player on the pitch. He could be Arsenal’s centre-back for the next 15-20 years now.’
Meanwhile, Ferdinand could barely hide his excitment at the young centre-back’s performance, as he hailed Saliba’s ‘composure’.
He said: ‘What impressed me was his composure. He’s very strong and mobile but he was the most composed centre-back on the pitch today, especially on Arsenal’s side.
The 21-year-old centre-back has broken into the France national team, winning seven caps
‘How many times did he come out with the ball when he was under pressure? He was calm and showed composure beyond his years.
‘He had to be very patient (waiting three years for his debut) and showed character to go away and prove himself and he’s already become a little bit of a fan favourite.’
Arsenal’s win over their arch-rivals extends their lead at the top of the table to four points ahead of the rest of the Premier League’s games.
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