Garth Crooks has heaped praise on Arsenal’s defender, William Saliba, for his outstanding defensive performance against Manchester City, effectively silencing Erling Haaland.
In a match where opportunities were scarce, Arsenal clinched victory, thanks to Gabriel Martinelli’s decisive goal in the second half.
This triumph propels the Gunners to second place in the table, granting them a two-point advantage over Pep Guardiola’s side as they head into the international break.
Saliba’s exceptional display has been the talk of the town following Arsenal’s victory. He expertly managed Haaland’s threats throughout the afternoon, leaving the prolific Man City forward with only 23 touches and no shots on target, despite playing the full 90 minutes.
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Drawing a comparison between Saliba and the legendary Sol Campbell, Crooks underlines the significance of maintaining the French defender’s fitness.
According to Crooks, “Once again, William Saliba’s stabilizing presence in Arsenal’s defense proves to be invaluable.” He described the atmosphere at Emirates Stadium as tense, particularly against Manchester City. Nevertheless, Saliba remained as composed as ever, effortlessly handling Erling Haaland.
Crooks holds Saliba in the same high regard as he did with Sol Campbell, recognizing the French international’s commanding presence in defense, alongside comparable speed.
Personal Information
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | William Alain André Gabriel Saliba |
| Date of Birth | 24 March 2001 (age 22) |
| Place of Birth | Bondy, France |
| Height | 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in) |
| Position(s) | Centre-back |
Team Information
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Current Team | Arsenal |
| Number | 2 |
Youth Career
| Years | Team | Apps (Gls) |
|---|---|---|
| 2008–2014 | AS Bondy | – |
| 2014–2016 | FC Montfermeil | – |
| 2016–2018 | Saint-Étienne | – |
Senior Career
| Years | Team | Apps (Gls) |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Saint-Étienne B | 3 (0) |
| 2018–2019 | Saint-Étienne | 16 (0) |
| 2019– | Arsenal | 35 (2) |
| 2019–2020 | Saint-Étienne (loan) | 12 (0) |
| 2021 | Nice (loan) | 20 (1) |
| 2021–2022 | Marseille (loan) | 36 (0) |
International Career
| Year | Team | Caps (Goals) |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | France U16 | 7 (1) |
| 2017–2018 | France U17 | 6 (2) |
| 2018 | France U18 | 5 (1) |
| 2018 | France U19 | 3 (0) |
| 2019 | France U20 | 1 (0) |
| 2021 | France U21 | 5 (0) |
| 2022– | France | 10 (0) |
Medal Record
Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 19:34, 8 October 2023 (UTC)
National team caps and goals, correct as of 12 September 2023