Mikel Arteta rejects comparisons between Saliba and van Dijk
Mikel Arteta rejects comparisons between William Saliba and Virgil van Dijk… as the Arsenal boss reveals he’s ‘really happy’ with the defender’s progress but wants the Frenchman to ‘make his own career’
- William Saliba has been compared to Virgil van Dijk after starting well at Arsenal
- Mikel Arteta is not interested in comparisons between the pair, though
- He wants Saliba to focus on his own development and ‘make his own career’
Mikel Arteta has dismissed comparisons between William Saliba and Virgil van Dijk, and has called for the Arsenal defender to ‘make his own career’.
Saliba went straight into the Gunners’ backline at the start of the season after returning from his loan spell with Marseille and has been one of the team’s standout performers in the opening weeks of the campaign.
This has led to some fans and pundits, including Jamie Carragher, comparing Saliba to van Dijk. The two centre-backs are due to face each other on Sunday when Arsenal take on Liverpool, and Arteta was asked at his pre-match press conference whether the Frenchman could reach van Dijk’s level.
William Saliba has started the season strongly at the heart of Arsenal’s defence
He has been compared to Virgil van Dijk after slotting into Arsenal’s defence seamlessly
‘I’m really happy with where he is at the moment. He’s Saliba, he’s no one else and he needs to make his own career,’ Arteta replied.
Saliba has helped Arsenal keep three clean sheets in their first eight league games, leaving them a point clear of Manchester City at the top of the table.
He has also scored twice to show that he is a threat in the opposition box as well.
When asked what had impressed him most about Saliba this season, Arteta responded: ‘I think the way he has established himself, the composure and leadership he has shown on the pitch.
‘And that it is done in such a natural way without the flashy lights, just being himself, be very quiet and at the same time very confident.’
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has rejected comparisons between Saliba and van Dijk
Arsenal beat Tottenham in the north London derby last weekend, prompting former manager Arsene Wenger to claim that his old club should now be considered second-favourites for the title behind Manchester City.
Wenger also added that he believes Arsenal have a ‘good chance’ of winning the league for the first time since 2004.
Arteta appreciates the support from the club legend, and is hopeful his Arsenal side can prove Wenger right.
‘It’s great that people who love the club so much and know the club so well have such an opinion about it. Now, we have to show it on the pitch and hopefully he’s right, like he has been right on many other occasions,’ Arteta said.
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