“He’s the club’s starlet”- Rio Ferdinand names Arsenal most important player this season.
Rio Ferdinand insists Arsenal were just lucky to nick a win over a patched Chelsea side, refusing to be carried away.
In addition, Ferdinand believes Arsenal’s title talk could be pre-mature.
“It shows you the coaching and hard work that has gone in under the manager.
That was a patched up Chelsea team, they are missing Reece James, Ben Chillwell, Kalidou Koulibaly, Wesley Fofana, Ngolo Kante, there is six players that more or less start in that team.”
“I was so impressed with how Arsenal played but let’s have a little reality check. Arsenal are a serious team now but it wasn’t even their (Chelsea’s) first-team.”
Arsenal’s win in west London came courtesy of Gabriel Magalhaes’ second-half strike but it was the efforts of Gabriel Jesus and William Saliba that caught Ferdinand’s eye.
“(Arsenal’s) most important player is Gabriel Jesus or William Saliba. If those players come out the team, the drop-off from that level is massive.”
‘You could play Granit Xhaka in Thomas Partey’s position and get through a couple of games, but you won’t get the same output from someone who comes in for Jesus or Saliba.”
Gabriel Jesus and William Saliba have been massive for Arsenal this season. Jesus arrived from Manchester City in the summer and has been able to provide five goals and six assists in the Premier League.
As for Saliba, he won the man-of-the-match award on his debut against Palace and was also named the best player on the pitch on Sunday.
Arsenal need both of them to achieve great heights this season. Meanwhile, the title talk might be coming too soon.
All eyes will be on the Gunners after the World Cup break.
