{"id":1352065,"date":"2024-05-15T17:14:00","date_gmt":"2024-05-15T16:14:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?p=1352065"},"modified":"2024-05-19T18:14:26","modified_gmt":"2024-05-19T17:14:26","slug":"william-saliba-premier-league-best-defender-arsenal","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/william-saliba-premier-league-best-defender-arsenal\/","title":{"rendered":"Arsenal stats: How William Saliba has become the Premier League&#8217;s best defender"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>William Saliba has been a rock in defence for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/clubs\/arsenal\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Arsenal<\/a> this season.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The Frenchman has helped his side to a league-leading 18 clean sheets, the latest of which came in a vital 1-0 win over Manchester United last weekend.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Read more: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/preview\/arsenal-vs-everton-premier-league\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Arsenal vs Everton tips + predictions<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Mikel Arteta\u2019s side have built their recent success on solid defensive foundations, with just 28 goals conceded in 37 Premier League games.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/outright-markets\/premier-league-title-odds\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">If they do get over the line<\/a> and win their first title since 2004, they will be indebted to some remarkable performances from Saliba.<\/p>\n<h2><a href=\"http:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/go\/sky-bet-uk?q=gb-evp-con-bag-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sky Bet<\/a> offer: How to get \u00a330 in free bets from a 5p wager<\/h2>\r\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/go\/sky-bet?q=gb-all-con-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1321815 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/media.www.squawka.com\/images\/2023\/04\/29162531\/1305084_1305084_2620554-ACQ-BXG30FB-SkyBet-Acq-ThirdPartyContent-632x354-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"632\" height=\"354\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2023\/04\/29162531\/1305084_1305084_2620554-ACQ-BXG30FB-SkyBet-Acq-ThirdPartyContent-632x354-1.jpg 632w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2023\/04\/29162531\/1305084_1305084_2620554-ACQ-BXG30FB-SkyBet-Acq-ThirdPartyContent-632x354-1-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2023\/04\/29162531\/1305084_1305084_2620554-ACQ-BXG30FB-SkyBet-Acq-ThirdPartyContent-632x354-1-110x62.jpg 110w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2023\/04\/29162531\/1305084_1305084_2620554-ACQ-BXG30FB-SkyBet-Acq-ThirdPartyContent-632x354-1-125x70.jpg 125w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2023\/04\/29162531\/1305084_1305084_2620554-ACQ-BXG30FB-SkyBet-Acq-ThirdPartyContent-632x354-1-66x37.jpg 66w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2023\/04\/29162531\/1305084_1305084_2620554-ACQ-BXG30FB-SkyBet-Acq-ThirdPartyContent-632x354-1-80x45.jpg 80w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2023\/04\/29162531\/1305084_1305084_2620554-ACQ-BXG30FB-SkyBet-Acq-ThirdPartyContent-632x354-1-180x101.jpg 180w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2023\/04\/29162531\/1305084_1305084_2620554-ACQ-BXG30FB-SkyBet-Acq-ThirdPartyContent-632x354-1-380x213.jpg 380w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2023\/04\/29162531\/1305084_1305084_2620554-ACQ-BXG30FB-SkyBet-Acq-ThirdPartyContent-632x354-1-240x134.jpg 240w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2023\/04\/29162531\/1305084_1305084_2620554-ACQ-BXG30FB-SkyBet-Acq-ThirdPartyContent-632x354-1-85x48.jpg 85w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2023\/04\/29162531\/1305084_1305084_2620554-ACQ-BXG30FB-SkyBet-Acq-ThirdPartyContent-632x354-1-36x20.jpg 36w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2023\/04\/29162531\/1305084_1305084_2620554-ACQ-BXG30FB-SkyBet-Acq-ThirdPartyContent-632x354-1-330x185.jpg 330w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 632px) 100vw, 632px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\r\n<p>Not signed up to Sky Bet yet? 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ELIGIBILITY RESTRICTIONS AND FURTHER T&amp;CS APPLY. 18+. GambleAware.ORG<\/h5>\n<p><strong>Immovable object<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Saliba has formed a formidable partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes at the back in 2023-24.<\/p>\n<p>Together, they have helped Arsenal repeatedly nullify even the most potent attacks in the Premier League.<\/p>\n<p>But the France international has stood out, ranking first among the division\u2019s centre-backs for ball recoveries (209) and possessions won in the middle third (105).<\/p>\n<p>The 23-year-old appears to have no obvious weaknesses. He has the pace and strength to prevent dangerous runs in behind, as well as the intelligence and positional awareness to step out from the back when required.<\/p>\n<p>Perhaps most impressively, he has been a constant reassuring presence in defence this term: no defender in the league has played more minutes than Saliba (3,330).<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Saliba has been amazing, I think he\u2019s probably the best defender in the Premier League this season,&#8221; Emmanuel Petit recently told <a href=\"https:\/\/www.compare.bet\/news\/emmanuel-petit-exclusive-arsenal-should-avoid-osimhen\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Compare.bet<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1352066\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2024\/05\/15170215\/1352065_1352065_player_-5-stat-card-819x1024.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2024\/05\/15170215\/1352065_1352065_player_-5-stat-card-819x1024.png 819w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2024\/05\/15170215\/1352065_1352065_player_-5-stat-card-240x300.png 240w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2024\/05\/15170215\/1352065_1352065_player_-5-stat-card-768x960.png 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2024\/05\/15170215\/1352065_1352065_player_-5-stat-card-110x138.png 110w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2024\/05\/15170215\/1352065_1352065_player_-5-stat-card-56x70.png 56w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2024\/05\/15170215\/1352065_1352065_player_-5-stat-card-1229x1536.png 1229w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2024\/05\/15170215\/1352065_1352065_player_-5-stat-card-52x65.png 52w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2024\/05\/15170215\/1352065_1352065_player_-5-stat-card-80x100.png 80w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2024\/05\/15170215\/1352065_1352065_player_-5-stat-card-180x225.png 180w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2024\/05\/15170215\/1352065_1352065_player_-5-stat-card-192x240.png 192w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2024\/05\/15170215\/1352065_1352065_player_-5-stat-card-480x600.png 480w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2024\/05\/15170215\/1352065_1352065_player_-5-stat-card-799x999.png 799w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2024\/05\/15170215\/1352065_1352065_player_-5-stat-card-85x106.png 85w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2024\/05\/15170215\/1352065_1352065_player_-5-stat-card-16x20.png 16w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2024\/05\/15170215\/1352065_1352065_player_-5-stat-card-300x375.png 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2024\/05\/15170215\/1352065_1352065_player_-5-stat-card.png 1620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Ball-playing defender<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>As well as his dominant defending, Saliba is accomplished in possession, a prerequisite for a player in an Arteta team.<\/p>\n<p>Among top-tier centre-backs, only Lewis Dunk (2,938) and Virgil van Dijk (2,564) have completed more passes than Saliba (2,539).<\/p>\n<p>A passing accuracy of 92.46% is impressive, and Saliba is rarely guilty of surrendering possession.<\/p>\n<p>He is forward-thinking, too, ranking in the top 10 centre-backs for passes into the final third completed (171).<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1352067\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2024\/05\/15170255\/1352065_1352065_player_smart-radar-2-819x1024.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2024\/05\/15170255\/1352065_1352065_player_smart-radar-2-819x1024.png 819w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2024\/05\/15170255\/1352065_1352065_player_smart-radar-2-240x300.png 240w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2024\/05\/15170255\/1352065_1352065_player_smart-radar-2-768x960.png 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2024\/05\/15170255\/1352065_1352065_player_smart-radar-2-110x138.png 110w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2024\/05\/15170255\/1352065_1352065_player_smart-radar-2-56x70.png 56w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2024\/05\/15170255\/1352065_1352065_player_smart-radar-2-1229x1536.png 1229w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2024\/05\/15170255\/1352065_1352065_player_smart-radar-2-52x65.png 52w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2024\/05\/15170255\/1352065_1352065_player_smart-radar-2-80x100.png 80w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2024\/05\/15170255\/1352065_1352065_player_smart-radar-2-180x225.png 180w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2024\/05\/15170255\/1352065_1352065_player_smart-radar-2-192x240.png 192w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2024\/05\/15170255\/1352065_1352065_player_smart-radar-2-480x600.png 480w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2024\/05\/15170255\/1352065_1352065_player_smart-radar-2-799x999.png 799w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2024\/05\/15170255\/1352065_1352065_player_smart-radar-2-85x106.png 85w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2024\/05\/15170255\/1352065_1352065_player_smart-radar-2-16x20.png 16w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2024\/05\/15170255\/1352065_1352065_player_smart-radar-2-300x375.png 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2024\/05\/15170255\/1352065_1352065_player_smart-radar-2.png 1620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Goal threat<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Not content just to play a huge part in defence, Saliba has also been a persistent threat in attack, particularly from set-pieces.<\/p>\n<p>The Arsenal defender ranks fourth among Premier League centre-backs for xG from corners (2.19).<\/p>\n<p>That said, his partner Gabriel leads the way, with an eye-catching xG of 4.4.<\/p>\n<p>Catching up in that department could be a target for Saliba next season, but Arsenal will likely be more than happy with his contributions in 2023\/24.<\/p>\n<p>Depending on results elsewhere, one more clean sheet could be enough to end the Gunners\u2019 long wait for a Premier League title.<\/p>\n<p>If that is achieved, whether this season or in the future, Saliba will soon be mentioned in the same breath as legendary Arsenal defenders like Tony Adams, Martin Keown and Sol Campbell.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1352068\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2024\/05\/15170328\/1352065_1352065_shot_map-player-three-stats-1-819x1024.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2024\/05\/15170328\/1352065_1352065_shot_map-player-three-stats-1-819x1024.png 819w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2024\/05\/15170328\/1352065_1352065_shot_map-player-three-stats-1-240x300.png 240w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2024\/05\/15170328\/1352065_1352065_shot_map-player-three-stats-1-768x960.png 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2024\/05\/15170328\/1352065_1352065_shot_map-player-three-stats-1-110x138.png 110w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2024\/05\/15170328\/1352065_1352065_shot_map-player-three-stats-1-56x70.png 56w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2024\/05\/15170328\/1352065_1352065_shot_map-player-three-stats-1-1229x1536.png 1229w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2024\/05\/15170328\/1352065_1352065_shot_map-player-three-stats-1-52x65.png 52w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2024\/05\/15170328\/1352065_1352065_shot_map-player-three-stats-1-80x100.png 80w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2024\/05\/15170328\/1352065_1352065_shot_map-player-three-stats-1-180x225.png 180w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2024\/05\/15170328\/1352065_1352065_shot_map-player-three-stats-1-192x240.png 192w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2024\/05\/15170328\/1352065_1352065_shot_map-player-three-stats-1-480x600.png 480w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2024\/05\/15170328\/1352065_1352065_shot_map-player-three-stats-1-799x999.png 799w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2024\/05\/15170328\/1352065_1352065_shot_map-player-three-stats-1-85x106.png 85w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2024\/05\/15170328\/1352065_1352065_shot_map-player-three-stats-1-16x20.png 16w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2024\/05\/15170328\/1352065_1352065_shot_map-player-three-stats-1-300x375.png 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2024\/05\/15170328\/1352065_1352065_shot_map-player-three-stats-1.png 1620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\" \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>William Saliba has been a rock in defence for Arsenal this season. The Frenchman has helped his side to a league-leading 18 clean sheets, the latest of which came in a vital 1-0 win over Manchester United last weekend. Read more: Arsenal vs Everton tips + predictions Mikel Arteta\u2019s side have built their recent success&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":456,"featured_media":1352072,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":"","_yoast_wpseo_title":"","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Arsenal stats: How William Saliba has become the Premier League's best defender as the Gunners hunt for the title ahead of the final day.","footnotes":""},"tags":[],"features-category":[],"squawka-category":[],"class_list":["post-1352065","features","type-features","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":{"external_featured_image_url":"","hide_featured_image_pattern":false},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.1 (Yoast SEO v27.1.1) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Arsenal stats: How William Saliba has become the Premier League&#039;s best defender | Squawka | EN<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" 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