Former Arsenal captain William Gallas named William Saliba as the Premier League’s best defender.
Gallas enjoyed most of his club success with Chelsea, where he won two Premier Leagues, but he spent four seasons with Arsenal and then another three at Tottenham.
Given that experience, he is well placed to rate the current crop of defenders in English football, and he has plumped for 22-year-old Frenchman Saliba.
Saliba has emerged as a fixture in the starting line-up under Mikel Arteta, and has also broken into the full French national team.
Speaking to Genting Casino, Gallas said: “Saliba has been the best central defender this season. I’ve spoken about him often – I really like the player.
“A lot of people speak about him – for him to be recognised as the very best, then he needs to lift some trophies. That’s what the world’s best players do. You can’t deny his ability. He reads the game brilliantly. His positioning is always perfect.
“He is a big boy, but he is smart. He is so intelligent; he doesn’t rely on winning physical duels.
“He is so calm on the ball, and he also pops up with important goals.
“I wanted to see how he handled Haaland when Arsenal played Manchester City. He did really well. He kept the best striker in the Premier League very quiet.”