Arsenal’s William Saliba was named in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year on Tuesday evening.
The Frenchman has quickly grown to become one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League under Mikel Arteta‘s tutelage.
Arsenal had the best defence in the league last season thanks to the formidable partnership of William Saliba and Gabriel. The duo, combined with Golden Glove-winner David Raya, conceded only 29 goals in the 2023-24 Premier League season.
Saliba has already started in the same fashion this season with Arsenal keeping a clean sheet against Wolves with a 2-0 win in their league opener.
There is no doubt that Saliba is at the top of his game, but to etch his name alongside Premier League greats he will have to maintain these levels season-on-season.
William Saliba names Premier League’s greatest defender
During the PFA awards show, Saliba was asked a series of questions about who is the greatest defender in the Premier League and his answers may shock Arsenal fans.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Saliba played along with their ‘Winner Stays On’ game where he was asked which defender was better.
The Gunners centre-back showed a lot of faith in Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand, but his answer ended up being Liverpool‘s Virgil van Dijk.
Saliba stuck with the Liverpool stalwart even when faced with the choice of Arsenal legends Tony Adams and Sol Campbell.
William Saliba at Arsenal this season
Arsenal fans will quickly forgive Saliba for overlooking Adams and Campbell if he continues his brilliant form for the North London side.
The Gunners have a real chance of beating Manchester City to the Premier League title this season, especially after strengthening their backline with the arrival of Riccardo Calafiori.
Their dominant win over Wolves was a great start, and Saliba will be aiming for another clean sheet when Arsenal face Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon.