"I think showed some real class" - Martin Keown hails Arsenal star after rock-solid display against Crystal Palace
Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown hailed William Saliba following his good performance on debut for the Gunners against Crystal Palace on Friday, August 5.
Mikel Arteta's side have started their Premier League campaign with a 2-0 victory against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Gabriel Martinelli opened the scoring for the north London side with an own goal from Marc Guehi doubling the lead for them late in the game.
Saliba, who was signed by the Gunners three years ago from AS Saint-Etienne, finally made his debut for the club on Friday night.
100% take-ons completed
100% aerial duels won
94% pass accuracy
49 passes
7 ball recoveries
6 passes into final third
6 clearances
3 duels won
0x dribbled past
0 goals conceded
0 fouls committed
William Saliba's debut stats πππππ πππ ππππππ! πͺ https://t.co/AzBQtETDI3
In his very first game for the club, the Frenchman made quite a mark in the game, which was enough to impress club legend Keown.
The former Premier League winning defender claimed that Saliba came up with a 'Man of the Match' display against the Eagles. He told talkSPORT:
βSaliba β the fellaβs been at Arsenal now for three years and itβs the first time weβve seen him."
βI think he should take a bow really because he deserved an opportunity far sooner than he got tonight."
βIf it was me given the choice, Iβd go with Saliba for Man of the Match."
Keown has insisted that Arteta must have seen something special in the 21-year-old in pre-season that prompted him to use Β£50 million signing Ben White at right-back to accommodate Saliba. He added:
βI mean they paid Β£50 million for Ben White and Ben Whiteβs having to play right-back because obviously the managerβs seen something in this player in pre-season, and why not?"
βI think actually itβs paid off and now we do have real competition in that central defensive position.β
Saliba could cement his place in the Arsenal backline
It's quite remarkable that a player of Saliba's caliber had to wait three years for his Arsenal debut.
The Frenchman has spent the majority of his Arsenal contract away on loan in France with AS Saint-Etienne, Nice and Marseille in that order.
While many criticized Arteta for loaning the young defender three times, he should be credited for the development Saliba has had in his homeland.
He was awarded 'Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year' last season for his display at Marseille and has even earned five caps for his country. He made 36 Ligue 1 appearances last season, helping his team maintain 13 clean sheets.
UNFP Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year π
William Saliba π«
Congratulations, Wilo π https://t.co/sh6h61GQ6k
Saliba looked solid and assured against Crystal Palace and has already shown that he can become the defensive lynchpin of the Arsenal side.