Mikel Arteta and Jamie Carragher were in agreement that they don’t like centre-backs dribbling with the ball, as they highlighted Arsenal’s, William Saliba.
The Arsenal 21-year-old has been one of the top-performing defenders in the Premier League this season, and whilst Arteta feels he is capable of bringing the ball out from the back, he thinks it’s ‘not a necessity’ and Carragher is ‘not a fan’ of it.
Arsenal’s high-flying boss was talking to Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher in a special MNF programme for Sky Sports, where they spoke about his career to date and his time in the dugout in north London.
It has been quite the journey for the 40-year-old so far, from winning the FA Cup, finishing outside of the European places altogether, and now sitting top of the tree in England’s top-flight.
One man that has made a huge difference to the Gunners this season has been Saliba and, both Arteta and Carragher, were discussing the France international playing out from the back.
“What are your thoughts on the centre-back position,” asked Carragher “It seems to be that it’s almost a position on the pitch where we ask so much.”
Arteta responded: “I have always said, in my opinion, the hardest position to play in the Premier League is at centre-back. You can be exceptionally well in everything we ask you for, but you just need an action where you give half a yard in the box to somebody, he outjumps you and scores a goal, and then you are in all of the highlights.
“What William (Saliba) has done here, for example, he has the composure to do that (bringing the ball out from the back). In my opinion, I don’t like the central-defenders dribbling. He has to dribble here (against Brentford) because two seconds before he has done something that’s not right. It’s not a necessity to do that action. But he is still able to resolve that situation.”
Carragher responded: “I actually agree with you. We see a lot of centre-backs dribbling. I am not a fan of dribbling. I like someone to step in or make the pass.”
SALIBA HAS TRANSFORMED ARSENAL
Signed by Unai Emery for £27 million in 2019 (Sky Sports), it wasn’t until August of 2022 that Saliba was making his senior debut for the club.
He was out on a number of loan spells, including at Marseille last season, but there came a time when he could no longer be ignored.
Saliba did so well that Arteta forced Ben White out to right-back, which has allowed the player to build a very strong partnership with Gabriel at the heart of Arsenal’s defence.
