William Saliba has insisted that he’s not the best defender in the world right now, but former Gunner Bacary Sagna believes he’s Arsenal’s most important player.
In an interview with French outlet Telefoot last week, William Saliba was asked whether he thinks he’s the best defender in the world.
“I think I am one of the best, but not yet the best defender in the world,” Saliba answered (via GFFN). “I can still become much better one day, I hope to improve.”
There’s certainly an argument that Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes have formed one of the most formidable defensive partnerships in the world, and it’s a credit to Saliba that things haven’t changed too much with Jakub Kiwior alongside him instead.
Kiwior deserves credit for that as well, of course, but it would have been understandable if the pair struggled to form an immediate connection.
The two centre-backs didn’t spend a minute on the pitch together between December 18th and April 1st. Yet Saliba quickly adapted to his new partner and they now have Arsenal in a Champions League semi-final.
Former Gunner Bacary Sagna argues that Saliba is proving his importance to the club, telling Telefoot: “I think he’s the most important player in the squad.”
There are perhaps some other players with a claim to that title, most notably Bukayo Saka. But Saliba is certainly up there with the best of Mikel Arteta’s current crop.