Saliba has established himself as one of the Premier League’s best defenders over the past three seasons, missing very few games for an Arsenal team contending for the title in each of those years.
Last season, Arsenal had the best defensive record in the English top-flight, allowing just 29 goals in 38 league matches, largely due to the impressive partnership between Saliba and Gabriel at center-back. ..Continue Reading
Saliba’s rise to becoming a world-class defender followed a slow start at Arsenal, during which he spent three seasons on loan after being signed for £27 million.
The 23-year-old’s performance in north London has earned him international recognition with France – he has accumulated 26 caps since 2022 – and has sparked interest from one of the world’s most prestigious clubs.
Real Madrid has long been linked with a move for Saliba, and RMC Sport reports that the La Liga giants are not only targeting a summer transfer but have made acquiring the Frenchman an “absolute priority.”
However, Arsenal is not looking to part with Saliba, who they reportedly regard as “the best center-back in the world,” and would require an extremely high fee for any potential transfer.
Manchester City’s Josko Gvardiol and Manchester United’s Harry Maguire are the most expensive defenders in history, each valued at just under £80 million, but Arsenal would demand an even higher fee for Saliba.
Despite his near-flawless performance for title-chasing Arsenal, Saliba struggled to contain Alexander Isak during the Gunners’ Carabao Cup semi-final loss to Newcastle United.
‘Gabriel and William Saliba could not deal with Alexander Isak at all – he had them rattled,’ former Tottenham midfielder Jamie O’Hara told Grosvenor Sport.
‘Arsenal were all over the place. That is the first time I’ve ever seen them like that and they’re probably the best defensive partnership in the world now, which just shows how good Isak is.’
Following their qualification for another Carabao Cup final after their 2023 loss to Manchester United, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe disclosed that his team specifically aimed at exploiting Saliba and Gabriel.
‘We wanted to get pressure on them [Saliba and Gabriel] and in order to do that we had to get bodies in the right areas and press high – that is how we decided to do it,’ he said.
‘You know you are playing against elite players and one mistake can make things difficult. We had to be ourselves, be front foot. If not then it can quickly be 1-0 and 2-0 and then you are on the back foot.’
Meanwhile, Arsenal legend Ian Wright suggested Saliba and the club’s other world-class players could leave if they go another campaign without winning a trophy.
‘We have to start thinking about about Gabriel [Magalhaes], [William] Saliba and Saka,’ he said on his Wrighty’s House podcast. ‘After this season, they’ve got two years left.
‘Even if Arsenal say to you, “listen we want to start talking to you”, with a World Cup coming, managers and agents are going to say, “we just want to focus on our game now, trying to make sure we’re in great form for the World Cup”.
‘Those guys are going to be into the last year. We’re going to have a situation like Liverpool have got now.
‘How long before their management teams say, “we need to see the ambition of this club”? Do any of those players want to end up not winning anything because the way it’s going at the moment…’
Arsenal have the weekend off following their FA Cup exit at the hands of Manchester United before returning to Premier League action on February 15 against Leicester City.
