William Saliba has evidently added a lot to Arsenal’s backline this season, but the stats suggest he’s done so with more than just defending.

BRENTFORD, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 18: William Saliba of Arsenal celebrates after scoring their side's first goal during the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Arsenal FC at Brentford Community Stadium on September 18, 2022 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
BRENTFORD, ENGLAND: William Saliba of Arsenal celebrates after scoring their side’s first goal during the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Arsenal FC at Brentford Community Stadium on September 18, 2022. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

Arsenal are currently sitting at the top of the Premier League table, conceding the third-least xG per game, with only one team (Newcastle United) having conceded fewer goals.

It’s easy to attribute a lot of the defensive improvement to William Saliba. Saliba wasn’t the only player Arsenal added to their team this summer, but Oleksandr Zinchenko’s injury problems have prevented him from playing as much as he would’ve wanted.

By contrast, Saliba hasn’t missed a Premier League minute, so he certainly deserves to take his share of the credit for Arsenal’s solidity at the back.

For example, according to WhoScored, Saliba has only been dribbled past once versus the 17 tackles he’s made. A tackle success rate of 94.4% is certainly not bad.

Yet perhaps Saliba’s impact on Arsenal’s success this season is about more than just tackles and clearances.

StatsBomb report that Saliba has made the most open-play line-breaking passes of any player in the Premier League this season.

A “line-breaking pass” is defined as a completed pass that advances the ball at least 10% closer to the opposition goal and that either intersects a pair of defenders in close proximity or passes behind the defensive line.

These are important passes for an Arsenal defender to be able to make. They help the Gunners to escape pressure and often take multiple opponents out of the play.

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 09: Mikel Arteta speaks to William Saliba of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC at Emirates Stadium on October 09, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Mikel Arteta speaks to William Saliba of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC at Emirates Stadium on October 09, 2022. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Combine that with the fact that the Frenchman shows such calmness on the ball, often preferring to shield the ball or fake a pass until he’s found a better option – where other defenders may simply boot it clear.

Those are attributes it’s rare to find in someone who is also so capable on the defensive end. Arsenal’s style of play has reaped the rewards so far, and long may it continue.