Micah Richards and Gary Lineker shower praise on Arsenal star William Saliba for his performance against Man United
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Arsenal kept their Premier League title aspirations alive yesterday after securing a 1-0 victory against Manchester United at Old Trafford, with Leandro Trossard’s 20th-minute goal enough to ensure the winners of the title race will be decided on the final day of the 2023-24 campaign.
The Gunners were not at their best going forward at the Theatre of Dreams on Sunday but their defensive performance was superb once again, and Micah Richards and Gary Lineker singled out France international centre-back William Saliba for praise on the latest episode of The Rest is Football podcast.
“What a player he is,” Richards said.
“He is brilliant,” Lineker replied.
“I know we’ve talked about him all season, but it’s just his timing, and the timing of his challenges today was just impeccable,” Richards continued.
“His reading of the game is great. We all know he’s got pace as well and he is good on the ball, but what a player he is. Best player on the pitch by far.”
Arsenal have now kept 18 clean sheets in 37 league games so far in 2023-24, conceding just 28 goals, and Saliba has been very instrumental to their defensive brilliance having featured in every minute of the campaign.
The 23-year-old has been the best centre-back in the Premier League this term, and he will be desperate to lead them to their first league title since 2004.
Arsenal host Everton on the last day of the season next Sunday and will have to win and pray Manchester City drop points against Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday or against West Ham United for them to win the title.
If that happens, the Gunners have Saliba as one of those to thank given how consistently solid he has been at the back all campaign.
He has made the most last-man tackles (four) and has made playing against Arsenal difficult for everyone.
The North Londoners did not lose a league match against any of the traditional big-six clubs this term and will be ready to challenge for the title again next term no matter what happens on Sunday.