- Gabriel and William Saliba have started 26 Premier League games together
- The pair have managed to keep 11 clean sheets in the league’s best defence
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Arsenal will see Saturday’s trip to Brighton as a must-win game. It is no accident that they have conceded the fewest goals in the Premier League, while also scoring the most.
It is a product of a desire to protect one end of the pitch just as much as they want to pose a threat at the other, and you could see that in last weekend’s 0-0 draw with Manchester City.
It would be wrong to say Mikel Arteta’s men were overly cautious in that stalemate. They simply adapted to the waves of attacks by getting men behind the ball.
I cannot remember Thierry Henry or Dennis Bergkamp doing much defending on the edge of their own box but Arsenal’s attackers were happy to do what was required and Gabriel and William Saliba will have loved receiving that help.
No Premier League team have allowed their opponents fewer shots on target than Arteta’s side this season and for the third time they stopped Erling Haaland from getting even a glimpse of goal.
Gabriel (left) and William Saliba (right) are young enough to become one of the Premier League’s greatest ever partnerships at centre half
The duo have started 26 Premier League games together this term, winning 18 and keeping 11 clean sheets
They have it all — aggression, pace and the intelligence to be in the right place at the right time, as well as the ability to play it out from the back at a high level
It was interesting how Pep Guardiola tried to stop Haaland and Gabriel from having a giggle together at full time.
The City boss does not want his striker getting chummy with a rival defender. If they are pals, Haaland might not want to smash into him the next time they meet!
At 26 and 23, Gabriel and Saliba are young enough to become one of the Premier League’s best ever centre back pairings, especially if they can secure this title.
They have it all — aggression, pace and the intelligence to be in the right place at the right time, as well as the ability to play it out from the back at a high level.
Of the 26 games they have started together in the Premier League, they have won 18 and kept 11 clean sheets.
Arsenal have had a few iconic partnerships, including Sol Campbell and Kolo Toure in the 2003-04 season when Arsenal were last crowned champions.
But, speaking as a former centre back, it takes a team to defend, not just two individuals, and Arsenal have been outstanding in their desire to help Gabriel and Saliba.
