Former defender William Gallas says Arsenal centre-back William Saliba reminds him of Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand.
The Gunners have brought in Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Fabio Vieira, Matt Turner and Marquinhos this summer but Saliba could prove to be their best new face come the end of the season.
Although Arsenal signed Saliba for £27m in 2019, he has spent the last three seasons away from the club in loan spells with French clubs Saint-Etienne, Nice and Marseille.
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He was named in the Ligue 1 Team of the Year last term and won the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year too, earning him international recognition for France.
And Mikel Arteta was impressed enough on his return to England that he put him straight into his starting XI for their 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace on Friday night.
The France international impressed on his first competitive outing for Arsenal and Gallas thinks he has the “same style” as former Man Utd centre-back Ferdinand.
“Saliba is a really good player,”Gallas told Genting Casino. “When I look at him, he reminds me of a player I used to play against – and that player is Rio Ferdinand.
“If you look at how Saliba plays, and how Rio did when he was young, they have the same style.
“I didn’t say he will have the same career, but I hope he does. He just has a similar style to Ferdinand. I think Saliba will surprise a lot of people, he’s still so young and has much to prove, he will get even better.”
Their impressive list of signing has only heaped pressure on Arteta to deliver a top-four finish this season with supporters eyeing silverware too.
And Gallas predicts Arteta will be in “big trouble” if they fail to better their fifth-placed finish from last season.
The former Arsenal defender added: “Of course he will be in big trouble if they don’t make top four. Arteta has been asked to make the top four and he didn’t do it last season.
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“If Arsenal don’t play in the Champions League next season, it would cause a lot of drama. They have to have a great season, possibly win the Premier League, at least qualify for the Champions League.
“They have just bought new players, it’s in the hands of Arteta and the players. It…
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