William Saliba: Arsenal star's commanding highlights in 4-0 win vs Chelsea

In 2021/22, Arsenal were a far better team defensively than in previous campaigns.

The additions of Ben White, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Aaron Ramsdale to the back-line strengthened the team as a whole.

However, the one thing missing from Arsenal‘s pragmatic department last season was depth.

If one of Tomiyasu, White, Gabriel Magalhaes or Kieran Tierney was sidelined with injury, the Gunners were a far weaker outfit.

But in 2022/23, things will be different. Oleksandr Zinchenko has been brought in to provide top-quality cover for Tierney and William Saliba is back in the fold to add depth at centre-back.

The France international spent last season on loan at Marseille, where he was widely regarded as one of the best defenders in the country.

Arsenal fans have been desperate for him to be involved in first-team matters and now that they’ve got their wish, Saliba has not disappointed one bit.

The 21-year-old played the full 90 minutes in the Gunners’ 4-0 win over London rivals Chelsea in pre-season and he barely put a foot wrong.

Saliba was a commanding presence throughout the match and right at the start of proceedings, he made a brilliant recovery tackle to thwart the pacey Timo Werner.

Mikel Arteta on Saliba: “I am really pleased to see the way he is playing, the way he has adapted to the team, the maturity that he’s shown at 21, carry on doing it. We will keep developing him. He is already a top player & we have to make him even better. He looked ready to me.” pic.twitter.com/h0cOBrYcdu

Well played, William.

Saliba is lightning-quick for a defender, strong as an ox, can play line-breaking passes from deep and reads the game brilliantly for someone so young.

All those attributes were on show against Chelsea, with the likes