Mikel Arteta has responded to claims that William Saliba is a player ‘in the mould’ of Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk ahead of the two sides meeting on Sunday.

As Arsenal get ready to welcome Liverpool to the Emirates this weekend, Jamie Carragher has been giving his thoughts on the game and, in particular, William Saliba.

Writing in his Daily Telegraph column, Carragher said, “Saliba is a modern centre-back in the Van Dijk mould.

“He is fast enough to deal with the quickest strikers, aerially strong to cope with target men, and comfortable in possession to ensure his side can play from the back.

“Yes, these are early days and Saliba has a long way to go to match Van Dijk’s long-term influence at Liverpool, but he has had an immediate impact on how structurally sound a previously flaky defence looks.

“There is an echo of Van Dijk’s early months at Anfield.”

This comparison was put to Mikel Arteta as he spoke to the press ahead of the game.

“I’m really happy with where he is at the moment. He’s Saliba, he’s no one else and he needs to make his own career,” Arteta said.

Arteta was then asked what impressed him the most about Saliba this season. “I think the way he has established himself, the composure and leadership he has shown on the pitch,” Arteta replied.

“And that it is done in such a natural way without the flashy lights, just being himself, be very quiet and at the same time very confident.”