One West Ham United attacker has now compared Arsenal star William Saliba and Liverpool icon Virgil van Dijk.
Arsenal centre-back William Saliba has established himself as one of the best defenders in the Premier League.
The Frenchman is now impressing on an even bigger stage, at Euro 2024. Arsenal fans have been impressed by Saliba’s performances at the tournament in Germany.
Mikel Arteta will not be surprised to see the 23-year-old now shining at international level. Saliba proved with Arsenal last season that he is a big game player, as he routinely sparkled against elite level opposition.
West Ham and England forward Jarrod Bowen has now included Saliba in his pick of a World XI.
Jarrod Bowen identifies what makes Arsenal star William Saliba and Virgil van Dijk the best of the best
Speaking to the official West Ham United YouTube channel, Bowen was tasked with assembling a team of the world’s best players.
The 27-year-old selected a centre-back paring of Saliba and Virgil van Dijk. He then said of the pair: “I’ve gone, van Dijk and Saliba… I think, quite similar players in terms of their stature. How big they are, how quick they are, and how strong they are, but defensively really good as well.”
Saliba and van Dijk certainly share plenty of attributes. Perhaps the big difference between the Arsenal man and the Dutchman is their age. Whilst the 19-cap France international still very much has the majority of his career ahead of him, the 32-year-old is now coming towards the end of his peak years.
This difference exemplifies just how extraordinary Saliba really is. To be so good, and so consistent, whilst still so young marks him out as a generational talent.
Arteta has Arsenal stars in Marbella whilst Bukayo Saka struggles at Euro 2024
In this week’s episode, Will Jones and Rahul Lakhani discussed England’s recent poor performances at the European Championships. With Arsenal players Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka receiving mixed reviews for England so far, Gareth Southgate’s tactical decisions were questioned.
There was some talk about the members of the Arsenal squad currently on a surprise training camp with Mikel Arteta in Marbella, as well as a brief look at how Gabriel Magalhaes and Gabriel Martinelli are getting on at the Copa America with Brazil.
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