"I’ve become a better player" - Arsenal star hails Mikel Arteta's coaching and how he's developed him
Arsenal defender William Saliba has attributed his meteoric rise at the Emirates to his manager, Mikel Arteta. The French centre-back has become arguably one of the most highly regarded defenders in European football.
Saliba spoke to the club's media ahead of the Gunners' top-of-the-table battle with Manchester City on Sunday (September 22). He praised Arteta's coaching abilities:
"He’s a really good coach and we’re so happy to have him here. He helps us a lot to grow, especially a player like me. I’ve learned a lot of things with him and I’ve become a better player since I’ve worked with him, so we’re so happy to have him and I’m sure we will win some titles with him."
Saliba, 23, joined Arsenal from Ligue 1 side Saint-Etienne in July 2019 for £27 million. There were initial concerns regarding Arteta's handling of the young Frenchman because he was sent back to French football on loan to his former club and Marseille.
However, this helped the 23-cap France international's growth, and he was named the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year in 2022. Arteta then bedded him into his first team, and he's since been irreplaceable.
Saliba has made 88 appearances for Arsenal and forged a formidable partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes. They helped the north Londoners to the best defensive record in the league last season, conceding just 29 goals.
"We grow together" - William Saliba lauds his partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes at Arsenal
Saliba and Gabriel have become one of, if not the best defensive partnerships in Europe. They have kept many of the Premier League's prolific forwards quiet, such as Erling Haaland, who didn't get a sniff in their two fixtures last season.
The Bondy-born defender touched on the growing connection between the defensive duo at the Emirates (via the source above):
"There’s no secret. I’m good, he’s good. We both speak French and we play now in our third season together. We know each other so well and it’s a pleasure to play every game with him. We grow together because he’s young as well, so it’s really good to have him by my side."
Saliba and Gabriel will need to be at their usual best on Sunday when they travel to the Etihad to face City. Haaland has been scoring for fun so far this season, with nine goals in four league games, including two hat-tricks.