Arsenal star William Saliba belives he is among the Premier League's three best defenders.
The French international, currently preparing for Euro 2024, was part of the division's most formidable partnership alongside Gabriel Magalhaes last season. The Gunners kept more clean sheets than their rivals and the 29 goals they conceded was five fewer than champions Manchester City.
Saliba played every single minute in the Premier League and racked up 50 appearances for the north London side. The 23-year-old has become an essential part of Mikel Arteta's starting XI having had to complete loans Saint-Etienne, Nice and Marseille before breaking into the side.
Arsenal's young star believes he has proven himself to be among the very best players in the English top flight. The Frenchman suggests he is now always on alert.
"I think I am in the top three [defenders in the league]," he said. "We finished with the best defence. I watch a lot of matches. I am a very humble person but last season, just like this season, I was in the top three defenders.
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"I need to continue to work to go even higher. In terms of concentration, I am a lot better. Before, I could play a top match but in one phase of play, I slept a bit. That is no longer the case. I am always on alert."
Saliba highlighted Liverpool ace Virgil van Dijk in his interview and reckons he is now starting to exhibit the same aura as the Premier League veteran. "Van Dijk has aura," he told L'Equipe.
Your turn! Where does William Saliba rank among the league's best defenders? Give us your picks in the comments section
William Saliba is a big fan of Virgil van Dijk (Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)"He's the boss. He commands everything. You can feel he's scaring strikers away. And I'm starting to feel the same way."
Saliba also expects his club side to be challenging for Premier League honours again next term. The Gunners' central defender expects to be even better in 2024-25 after finishing just two points behind their rivals.
"We played against them three times and we made them struggle," he said. "They feel and we feel that we are close to them. Next year, we will have an even better war."
Among the favourites to win Euro 2024, Saliba's France play Austria in their opening game on Monday, June 17 in Dusseldorf before facing the Netherlands four days later in Leipzig. Their final group-stage fixture will be against Poland the following Tuesday, June 25 in Dortmund.
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