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William Saliba: Here to Stay ✍️

Who?

  • Van Dijk

    Votes: 31 10.8%
  • Saliba

    Votes: 241 84.3%
  • Maguire

    Votes: 14 4.9%

  • Total voters
    286

Macho

In search of Pure Profit 💸
Dusted 🔻

Country: England
You take this forum far too seriously. Personally, I don't give a damn what other posters say or think on here, all I care about is the boy's future. I want him to stay where he is until after the WC.
Was just an example, you think very little of me if you think that I think A-M will determine anybodies career in football.

Bar something surprising happening this summer he's done anyways you might as well start caring about someone else.
 

Rimaal

Mesmerised By Raccoons
Trusted ⭐
Was just an example, you think very little of me if you think that I think A-M will determine anybodies career in football.

He's done anyways you might as well start caring about someone else.

Why so fatalistic? He's not in London yet. Let's wait and see. And even if he does come back, he might end up being the reason tits gets the sack. who knows what can happen.
 

carlito'sway

Established Member
Was just an example, you think very little of me if you think that I think A-M will determine anybodies career in football.

Bar something surprising happening this summer he's done anyways you might as well start caring about someone else.
Why so fatalistic? He's not in London yet. Let's wait and see. And even if he does come back, he might end up being the reason tits gets the sack. who knows what can happen.

Actually, I am giving it a 60/40 chance that we will see Saliba in an Arsenal jersey by Sept 1. He is saying the politically correct thing now but no doubt that him, his agent and entourage are very aware that coming back to London may bury his chances to play in Qatar. Not to mention UCL as well, something he may never experience at Arsenal. I am will to bet we will see more twists and turns with the Saliba story before all is said and done.
 

AbouCuéllar

Author of A-M essays 📚
(like explaining colors to a blind man)

Either you’re not watching Arsenal or you don’t understand football.. or you hate Arteta so much that you can’t admit that Benjamin White is a good ball playing defender?

All of them are quite sad, though I expect the latter

Im out for now :)
This guy has been talking ****e about White from the beginning and is just pushing his agenda to save face. Talks so much crap on the topic of Ben White it's mad.
 

Entropics

Established Member

Country: Colombia

Player:Saka
I'm sure Arteta can sway him if he throws some cash at him and promises regular gametime until December, which will benefit the team anyway. In theory getting game time in a better league means he retains his spot on the NT.

The problem of course is that working with Arteta won't benefit Saliba. The safest option for him is definitely to stay at Marseille working with a guy that actually knows what he's doing.
 

Macho

In search of Pure Profit 💸
Dusted 🔻

Country: England
1655453841213.png

James McNicholas and Mark Carey
Jun 17, 2022

William Saliba says he will be at Arsenal next season, not out on loan. Their manager Mikel Arteta says as much too, so for the Arsenal fans who have waited since his summer 2019 signing to see the defender make his competitive debut for the club’s first team, the signs are undoubtedly promising.

But what part could the 21-year-old play in Arteta’s plans when the games begin again with that Friday night trip to Crystal Palace on August 5?

Arsenal’s centre-back group for 2022-23 is beginning to take shape.

Last season’s first-choice pair of Benjamin White and Gabriel could be joined by Saliba, with Rob Holding also available to provide cover.

The Athletic has previously reported on Arsenal’s interest in recruiting a new left-sided centre-half to replace Pablo Mari, with the 28-year-old Spaniard having been given permission to leave permanently in this window after spending the second half of last season on loan at Udinese in Italy’s Serie A.

Although not of the utmost priority, a new left-footed centre-back remains of interest.

Arsenal pursued a deal for Nico Schlotterbeck of Freiburg in January but the Germany international, 22, wanted to remain in the Bundesliga. He is now set to join Borussia Dortmund. This summer, there have been enquiries after Ajax’s 24-year-old Argentina international Lisandro Martinez.


But Arsenal also know that, with Saliba now in the squad, they should have enough depth in central defence.

Saliba is regarded primarily as a right-sided centre-back, and right-back Takehiro Tomiyasu regularly plays to the left of centre for Japan. If required, Arsenal could move Tomiyasu to the centre and play one of White or Cedric at right-back.

If Saliba does stay, a left centre-back could still be signed, but only if it is a particularly good market opportunity.

But how will the Frenchman fit into Arteta’s team?

At Arsenal, substantial emphasis is placed on what centre-backs can offer in possession, so our analysis will begin there.

Assuming the manager sticks with his preferred back-four shape, Saliba will find himself mainly competing with White for a starting place.

image9-2.png


There are certain parallels between the two defenders.

Both are comfortable on the ball — in fact, Saliba made 2,384 passes while on loan to Marseille in France last season. That’s the most ever recorded by anyone in a Ligue 1 campaign.

That’s reflected in Saliba’s smarterscout pizza chart.

A link-up play volume rating of 96 out of 99 shows us how he’s racked up all those passes: by playing neat, simple balls. His record of 89.4 passes per 90 minutes places him in the top three per cent among Ligue 1 central defenders last season.

Saliba is also happy taking the ball upfield himself. He made 558 progressive carries last season — averaging 6.8 per 90, which was the highest of any centre-back in Ligue 1.

pizza_benjamin_white_RCB_2021-22.png


It’s striking how closely these aspects of Saliba’s chart compare with White’s.

That loan to Marseille seems to have been ideal for preparing him for life at Arsenal.

At the State Velodrome, Saliba frequently played on the right of a back three, just like White did at Brighton before last summer’s transfer to Arsenal. Their smarterscout ratings for carrying and dribbling are identical at 87/99 — so both players are at ease bringing the ball out of defence.

It’s worth noting that, by and large, Saliba’s dribbles aren’t marauding runs into opposition territory. They are often just little shimmies that take him away from a pressing forward, creating space to play a pass.

In this example, from the second leg of a Europa Conference League quarter-final win over Greece’s PAOK Thessaloniki in April, Saliba delays and actively invites pressure from the nearest attacker.

image13.png


Then, at the last moment, he turns inside. This takes the forward out of the game entirely.

image10-1.png


From there, Saliba has space to drive into the opposition half, with passing options ahead of him.

This was a simple move he produced time and time again last season on the right-hand side of Marseille’s build-up.

image2-2.png


Where he and White differ is interesting, too.

White does not rate as highly for link-up play or ball retention, but does perform better for progressive passing — ie, passes that move his team 10 metres-plus upfield.

It may just be a function of Marseille’s style, but Saliba has been more comfortable playing straightforward short passes than the line-breaking through-balls for which White has become known.

This may be something he can develop, as he does appear to have more penetrative passing in his locker.

In this example against Nantes, also in April, Saliba spots the run of striker Cedric Bakambu early.

image8-2.png


He is then able to fizz a perfect pass that bisects the defence and falls right into Bakambu’s path.

So the vision and technique are both there — Saliba just may need to produce these passes more regularly when playing within Arteta’s system.

image3-1.png


When compared with White and Saliba, Gabriel looks like a solid all-rounder on the ball.

image4-2.png


He has the ability to carry or build the play through passing, but he is not as progressive as White.

Looking at the blue portion of his chart, it’s clear Gabriel offers the greatest threat of the three inside the opponents’ penalty box. That’s borne out by the fact the 24-year-old scored five goals in his 35 league appearances last season, making him the division’s top-scoring centre-back.

Saliba doesn’t offer the same threat as Gabriel, but his physical presence means he compares favourably with White and Holding in terms of shot volume and receptions in the opposition box. He can be dangerous, even if his finishing presumably requires work — he ended last season without a goal to his name.

Of the quartet, Holding shows the least adventure in possession.

He is more conservative in his passing — and barely carries the ball upfield at all.

It’s worth considering his pizza chart covers relatively few minutes, so these numbers may not be reflective of how he would contribute over a full season.

image11-2.png
 

Macho

In search of Pure Profit 💸
Dusted 🔻

Country: England
It’s worth noting that Holding is very strong on ball recoveries and interceptions (94/99), which tallies with his reputation as a good penalty-box defender.

While Saliba’s ability on the ball could be crucial for Arteta, his defensive instincts will be just as important to his chances of getting regular game-time.

The Frenchman appears to be proactive in getting tight to his man, as shown by his perfect defending intensity rating. He frequently forces a turnover when doing so: his successful pressure percentage (ie, how frequently his team win possession within five seconds) last season was 47 per cent — among the top five per cent for centre-backs in Ligue 1.

This trait may be informed by Marseille’s intense, man-to-man marking style under coach Jorge Sampaoli.

Like Holding, Saliba is also good at mopping up and collecting loose balls (ball recoveries and interceptions rating: 83/99).

Where he is ahead of Holding is in his ability to recover quickly when the other team beat the offside trap and get in behind.

Arguably Saliba’s finest moment this season came late in a goalless draw at home to title-bound Paris Saint-Germain in October, when a Lionel Messi through-ball from deep gave Kylian Mbappe a clear run at goal.

image14.png


Mbappe’s curved run and blistering acceleration see him get ahead of Saliba initially…

image6-2.png


…but he is able to get back and launch a perfectly-timed sliding tackle that diverts the ball away from goal.

image7-2.png


This wasn’t an isolated incident either. Saliba’s athleticism saw him produce that kind of goal-saving tackle on several occasions.

In the below example away to Lens in January, the striker has a head-start of several yards on the highlighted Saliba. But by the time he got to the penalty area, the Arsenal loanee had a) caught him and b) tackled him.

image12.png


We can also use smarterscout to look comparatively at Saliba’s ability in duels.

These ratings are adjusted for the strength of the opponent he faced in each one-v-one situation. Immediately, his dribbling ability in comparison to the other Arsenal centre-backs is evident — Saliba has no issue beating a man on the ball when required.

image1-2.png


On the defensive side, however, there is room for improvement.

It’s noteworthy that he rates particularly poorly for headers. His ratings for aerial ability in duels are some way below White’s, despite this being a supposed weakness in the England international’s game, and are likely to be influenced by the lower quality of the opponents faced in Ligue 1. Despite Saliba’s imposing 6ft 4in frame, he clearly has some way to improve if he is to withstand the bombardment he may face at some Premier League grounds.

What becomes clear in this analysis is that Saliba, who played in three of France’s four Nations League games this month with two starts, does have the requisite quality to provide Arteta with an intriguing option next season.

He is plainly quite a good allegory for White — an effective ball-carrier and reliable passer — and it will be interesting to see how game-time is divided between them next season.

White played a lot of matches in his debut Arsenal season and became integral to their build-up play. With a Europa League schedule to contend with as well as the domestic programme next season, he will need time for rest and recovery. Saliba appears to have the capacity to step into that breach without Arsenal suffering a huge drop-off in quality.

Like any young defender, Saliba has plenty to learn, and that’s evident in some of his one-to-one duels.

As he settles in English football and matures, he may well prove to be more than a rotation option.

As Ligue 1’s 2021-22 Young Player of the Year and now a full international for world champions France just two months after turning 21, his potential is in little doubt.

Arsenal fans will be hoping the recent positive noises mean that talent could be fulfilled in a red and white shirt in north London.
 

drippin

Obsessed with "Mature Trusted Members"

Country: Finland
View attachment 7328

James McNicholas and Mark Carey
Jun 17, 2022

William Saliba says he will be at Arsenal next season, not out on loan. Their manager Mikel Arteta says as much too, so for the Arsenal fans who have waited since his summer 2019 signing to see the defender make his competitive debut for the club’s first team, the signs are undoubtedly promising.

But what part could the 21-year-old play in Arteta’s plans when the games begin again with that Friday night trip to Crystal Palace on August 5?

Arsenal’s centre-back group for 2022-23 is beginning to take shape.

Last season’s first-choice pair of Benjamin White and Gabriel could be joined by Saliba, with Rob Holding also available to provide cover.

The Athletic has previously reported on Arsenal’s interest in recruiting a new left-sided centre-half to replace Pablo Mari, with the 28-year-old Spaniard having been given permission to leave permanently in this window after spending the second half of last season on loan at Udinese in Italy’s Serie A.

Although not of the utmost priority, a new left-footed centre-back remains of interest.

Arsenal pursued a deal for Nico Schlotterbeck of Freiburg in January but the Germany international, 22, wanted to remain in the Bundesliga. He is now set to join Borussia Dortmund. This summer, there have been enquiries after Ajax’s 24-year-old Argentina international Lisandro Martinez.


But Arsenal also know that, with Saliba now in the squad, they should have enough depth in central defence.

Saliba is regarded primarily as a right-sided centre-back, and right-back Takehiro Tomiyasu regularly plays to the left of centre for Japan. If required, Arsenal could move Tomiyasu to the centre and play one of White or Cedric at right-back.

If Saliba does stay, a left centre-back could still be signed, but only if it is a particularly good market opportunity.

But how will the Frenchman fit into Arteta’s team?

At Arsenal, substantial emphasis is placed on what centre-backs can offer in possession, so our analysis will begin there.

Assuming the manager sticks with his preferred back-four shape, Saliba will find himself mainly competing with White for a starting place.

image9-2.png


There are certain parallels between the two defenders.

Both are comfortable on the ball — in fact, Saliba made 2,384 passes while on loan to Marseille in France last season. That’s the most ever recorded by anyone in a Ligue 1 campaign.

That’s reflected in Saliba’s smarterscout pizza chart.

A link-up play volume rating of 96 out of 99 shows us how he’s racked up all those passes: by playing neat, simple balls. His record of 89.4 passes per 90 minutes places him in the top three per cent among Ligue 1 central defenders last season.

Saliba is also happy taking the ball upfield himself. He made 558 progressive carries last season — averaging 6.8 per 90, which was the highest of any centre-back in Ligue 1.

pizza_benjamin_white_RCB_2021-22.png


It’s striking how closely these aspects of Saliba’s chart compare with White’s.

That loan to Marseille seems to have been ideal for preparing him for life at Arsenal.

At the State Velodrome, Saliba frequently played on the right of a back three, just like White did at Brighton before last summer’s transfer to Arsenal. Their smarterscout ratings for carrying and dribbling are identical at 87/99 — so both players are at ease bringing the ball out of defence.

It’s worth noting that, by and large, Saliba’s dribbles aren’t marauding runs into opposition territory. They are often just little shimmies that take him away from a pressing forward, creating space to play a pass.

In this example, from the second leg of a Europa Conference League quarter-final win over Greece’s PAOK Thessaloniki in April, Saliba delays and actively invites pressure from the nearest attacker.

image13.png


Then, at the last moment, he turns inside. This takes the forward out of the game entirely.

image10-1.png


From there, Saliba has space to drive into the opposition half, with passing options ahead of him.

This was a simple move he produced time and time again last season on the right-hand side of Marseille’s build-up.

image2-2.png


Where he and White differ is interesting, too.

White does not rate as highly for link-up play or ball retention, but does perform better for progressive passing — ie, passes that move his team 10 metres-plus upfield.

It may just be a function of Marseille’s style, but Saliba has been more comfortable playing straightforward short passes than the line-breaking through-balls for which White has become known.

This may be something he can develop, as he does appear to have more penetrative passing in his locker.

In this example against Nantes, also in April, Saliba spots the run of striker Cedric Bakambu early.

image8-2.png


He is then able to fizz a perfect pass that bisects the defence and falls right into Bakambu’s path.

So the vision and technique are both there — Saliba just may need to produce these passes more regularly when playing within Arteta’s system.

image3-1.png


When compared with White and Saliba, Gabriel looks like a solid all-rounder on the ball.

image4-2.png


He has the ability to carry or build the play through passing, but he is not as progressive as White.

Looking at the blue portion of his chart, it’s clear Gabriel offers the greatest threat of the three inside the opponents’ penalty box. That’s borne out by the fact the 24-year-old scored five goals in his 35 league appearances last season, making him the division’s top-scoring centre-back.

Saliba doesn’t offer the same threat as Gabriel, but his physical presence means he compares favourably with White and Holding in terms of shot volume and receptions in the opposition box. He can be dangerous, even if his finishing presumably requires work — he ended last season without a goal to his name.

Of the quartet, Holding shows the least adventure in possession.

He is more conservative in his passing — and barely carries the ball upfield at all.

It’s worth considering his pizza chart covers relatively few minutes, so these numbers may not be reflective of how he would contribute over a full season.

image11-2.png
"Saliba is regarded primarily as a right-sided centre-back, and right-back Takehiro Tomiyasu regularly plays to the left of centre for Japan. If required, Arsenal could move Tomiyasu to the centre and play one of White or Cedric at right-back."

Have said this for ages, it's why White and Tomiyasu were a great options last summer with their versatility to have a path for Saliba after he gets his first full season of football at top level.

Great to also hear that there aren't bridges burnt with Arteta or the club. This is why I have always said it's better to wait because we can't know.

Wonder if they keep him to convince him to stay for longer, or will he sign a new contract before next summer.
 

Makingtrax

Worships in the house of Wenger 🙏
Trusted ⭐

Country: England

Player:Saliba
Actually, I am giving it a 60/40 chance that we will see Saliba in an Arsenal jersey by Sept 1. He is saying the politically correct thing now but no doubt that him, his agent and entourage are very aware that coming back to London may bury his chances to play in Qatar. Not to mention UCL as well, something he may never experience at Arsenal. I am will to bet we will see more twists and turns with the Saliba story before all is said and done.
His 0-0 game against PSG was quietly excellent in his use of the ball and decision making in deeper areas and of course his crucial late tackle on Mbappé, who was clean through, was superb. Image sitting on the bench and watch City stuff us 5-0 and no UCL. Poor lad.
 

Mrs Bergkamp

Double Dusted
Dusted 🔻
Not sure where Saliba will fit if Arsenal is still intend to bring Lisandro from Ajax.
The Argentinian will not come to ride the pine in London.
Saw the Lisandro rumours this morning. I've no hope of Tomi or Tierney staying fit so I assume two CB's will be moved to FB enough times during the season so they all get enough games. We might need White or Lisandro in MF if we don't get some signings there lol.
 

drippin

Obsessed with "Mature Trusted Members"

Country: Finland
Saw the Lisandro rumours this morning. I've no hope of Tomi or Tierney staying fit so I assume two CB's will be moved to FB enough times during the season so they all get enough games. We might need White or Lisandro in MF if we don't get some signings there lol.
I have never seen White as being good enough for DMF in EPL for a big team, but he is almost similar to Tomiyasu as RB in our tactics imo.

Martinez on the other hand looks to me as being able to do LB or DMF.

Like you say, us having 4 very good CB's with 2 left footers and 2 right footers will get enough games for everyone especially how versatile they are.

Martinez to me looks like Holding replacement with better quality, a left-foot and versatility, so @carlito'sway continuing fears still do not touch me too much. We either have Saliba extend by next summer, or we already have his cover in place if he doesn't.
 

Taylor Gang Gunners

Say Yeh or You're Making The List
Trusted ⭐
Saliba staying with Lisandro coming in would signify the club's ambition to win trophies (regardless big or mickey) this coming season.

I agree- serious CB depth which we need to compete on all fronts. I love Holding but he’s not good enough in a back four. In a back three he looks decent.
 

sergio_giorgini

Dying on Mt.Neymar Hill
Saliba staying with Lisandro coming in would signify the club's ambition to win trophies (regardless big or mickey) this coming season.

White, Gabriel, Saliba, Lisandro & Tomiyasu is a fine collection of centre-backs to take us forward.

The great Arsène Wenger used to think Cygan, Stepanovs, Djourou, Senderos, Squillaci, Silvestre, Mustafi etc were Arsenal quality. Sickening.
 

Mrs Bergkamp

Double Dusted
Dusted 🔻
White, Gabriel, Saliba, Lisandro & Tomiyasu is a fine collection of centre-backs to take us forward.

The great Arsène Wenger used to think Cygan, Stepanovs, Djourou, Senderos, Squillaci, Silvestre, Mustafi etc were Arsenal quality. Sickening.
Convenient to forget the Invincible Campbell and Toure, the career extensions Wenger gave Graham's crew and good players like Per, Kos, Gallas and Vermaelen to name a few. Let's see if this new lot can defend well enough to get us top 4. They are a fine collection-on paper. All the defenders you dissed played CL and Internationals so it should be a cake walk for the newbies. Shame on them and Arteta if they don't with so few decent PL strikers.
 

grange

Losing my brain cells 🥸

Country: USA

Player:Havertz
No new developments yet we still have time for more Wenger raging in an unrelated thread. Another lovely day on AM.
 

Oxeki

Match Day Thread Merchant
Trusted ⭐

Country: Nigeria

Player:Saliba
No new developments yet we still have time for more Wenger raging in an unrelated thread. Another lovely day on AM.
Who was raging though?
It was that troll sergio that mentioned Wenger first.
 

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