- The Switzerland international made 117 appearances between 2003 and 2010
- William Saliba has become one of the most important players at Arsenal of late
- It’s the world against Everton – it can galvanise the players to stay up – IAKO
William Saliba was put through his paces in a test on his knowledge of Arsenal stars through the years, but the Frenchman was left stumped by one defender he believes bears a striking resemblance to Everton boss Sean Dyche.
Saliba has emerged as one of the key stars at the Emirates Stadium over the last two seasons, having at last been given a chance in north London after spending three loans in Ligue 1.
The centre half has forged a brilliant partnership with Brazil’s Gabriel Magalhaes at the heart of Mikel Arteta‘s back four, almost leading the Gunners to a first Premier League title in 19 years this summer.
However, a back injury sustained in the Europa League curtailed his season, and without the French international at the back Arsenal began to crumble, ultimately ceding first place to Treble winners Manchester City.
He was tested on his Arsenal knowledge by NBC Sports, and although he managed to name a few former Gunners, he particularly struggled with one star that played 117 games across seven years in north London.
Saliba was tested on his knowledge of former Arsenal players and struggled with one defender
The French centre back believed that they bore a striking resemblance to Everton boss Sean Dyche
The defender spent seven years at the club, winning an FA Cup-Community Shield double in 2005
After failing to name each of Denilson, Manuel Almunia and Eduardo, he was confronted with a picture of ex-Switzerland international Philippe Senderos, but couldn’t quite place him, saying: ‘Is that the coach of Everton?’
He then laughed as the interviewer admitted the two do look alike, but even after he was prompted that the player played for the Swiss national team, he was still none the wiser.
It’s entirely understandable, given Senderos’ 117 games came during a largely unsuccessful period for the club between 2003-2010.
That being said, 2005 did see Senderos lift an FA Cup-Community Shield double, before being named Swiss footballer of the year the following year.
Dyche, however, never featured for the Gunners, although a young Senderos does look very similar to the Everton boss.
Dyche played as a centre back at Nottingham Forest, Chesterfield, Bristol City, Luton Town, Milwall, Watford and Northampton Town, before transitioning into management in 2011.
But Senderos was not the only player to escape Saliba’s memory, with the France international briefly confusing Tomas Rosicky and Andrey Arshavin, before correctly identifying the Russian.
Saliba did manage to pick out each of Yaya Sanogo, Alex Song – who recently hung up his boots – and Gervinho.
Saliba has become something of a key player under Mikel Arteta over the last two seasons
Senderos was part of an Arsenal side on the wane, alongside the likes of Cesc Fabregas (third left, back row) and Mathieu Flamini (bottom right)
