Rio Ferdinand does not believe Arsenal defender William Saliba had a good game against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.
The Gunners’ unbeaten start to the new Premier League season came to an end following a disappointing 3-1 defeat. Mikel Arteta’s men were arguably the more dominant side, but the hosts were just more clinical in front of goal, and that won them the game.
Ferdinand doesn’t think Saliba had a good game for Arsenal vs Man United
Ferdinand’s Vibe with Five podcast was a heated one yesterday after host Joel Beya, who is an Arsenal supporter, tried to defend the Gunners following their defeat at Old Trafford.
He raved about Saliba’s performances this season and even went on to claim that he’s the best 21-year-old centre-back to ever play in the Premier League – even better than Ferdinand.
The Manchester United legend praised Saliba at first.
He said: “I actually think Saliba has a good chance of being a really, really good player, and he just needs time. All this kind of pressure you’re putting on him, I don’t think he needs it. He was on loan last year.”
Then, when Joel claimed that that £27 million man had a good game on Sunday in Arsenal’s 3-1 defeat, an unimpressed Ferdinand says: “Hold on, can I just say something?
“You cannot sit there and say a centre-back played well when you conceded three goals. Please don’t try and tell me that. You can’t!
“He (Saliba) would be sitting there and going: ‘Joel, shut up, don’t embarrass me.’”
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Saliba didn’t necessarily have a bad game against United on Sunday, but Ferdinand’s right, the young Frenchman wouldn’t have been happy about conceding three goals.
Arsenal should be really disappointed with the result. It was one of their best performances at Old Trafford for years, but they still came out of the game with zero points, which really is a shame
Arteta and co have to look forward now. Manchester City slipped up at the weekend, which means the North Londoners are still on top of the Premier League table. That, combined with how well they played for most parts of the game at Old Trafford, should give them a lot of confidence.
Saliba has started this season really well, but the game against Manchester United would’ve been a reality check for him. Arsenal fans will be hoping he can bounce back next time out.
