‘Not the best’: Sky Sports pundit not pleased with 21-year-old Arsenal player last night despite 4-2 win
Arsenal picked up a very important victory over Brighton and Hove Albion last night, but William Saliba had an off-day.
The 21-year-old Frenchman has been one of Arsenal’s best players this season. He has been phenomenal, but since he returned from the World Cup, he hasn’t quite been himself.
Alan Smith called him out on Sky Sports last night.
William Saliba criticised after Arsenal beat Brighton 4-2
Arsenal picked up a dominant win over West Ham United on Boxing Day, but the only negative that night was the goal they conceded early in the game.
Jarrod Bowen drove into Arsenal’s final third, and just as he entered the box, Saliba clipped him and conceded a penalty. The Hammers converted the spot kit and the Gunners went a goal behind.
Arsenal’s front three bailed Saliba out then, but the Frenchman was again not at his best last night. He looked a bit off the pace from the start, and ended up making an error that led to young Evan Ferguson scoring in the 77th minute.
Again, the mistake didn’t prove to be costly for the Gunners as Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Martinelli’s strikes were enough to win them the game.
Smith, who was covering the game for Sky Sports, claimed: “What a moment for the teenager (Ferguson).
“Not the best from Saliba, and Ramsdale dives over it.”
Our View:
Saliba’s performance against Brighton yesterday was arguably his worst in an Arsenal shirt. He looked nothing like his usual calm self, but Gunners fans shouldn’t be worried at all.
The Frenchman’s magnificent performances in the Premier League before the World Cup made many people forget that he’s still only 21 years old. Defenders of that age are rarely that good, and it’s natural that they make a few mistakes every now and then.
Arteta will surely have a word with Saliba about his performance at the Amex, but the Arsenal boss will know that it’s a part of his development, and it will only make him stronger.
The Gunners take on Newcastle next in what will be an even more difficult game. Saliba will be hoping to bounce back to his best after two very uncharacteristic performances.
