'If Virgil van Dijk is a Rolls Royce, Saliba is a Bentley'
James Shearman
- Updated: 29 Jul 2022 22:15 BST
- 3 min read
William Saliba has been compared to Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk by former Arsenal player Kevin Campbell.
Van Dijk is widely recognised as the leading centre-back in European football, and Campbell believes Saliba can reach that level in an Arsenal shirt this season.
The Frenchman has impressed greatly in preseason, with fans calling for him to start The Gunners' opening Premier League game against Crystal Palace next weekend.
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There are no bigger fans of Saliba than Campbell, though, who has described the defender as 'an absolute gem'.
"If Virgil van Dijk is a Rolls Royce, Saliba is a Bentley,'' the ex-Everton and Arsenal striker told Football Insider
"He is never flustered, and his passing is a lot better than a lot of people give him credit for,'' Campbell continued. ''He is smart, quick, strong, physical, powerful and does not make mistakes. I think he needed that extra year at Marseille if I am honest.
"I think that has really helped his confidence. Now when you see him play at Arsenal, and I know it is pre-season, he looks mature. We will find out a lot more when the season starts but from what I can see, Arsenal have got an absolute gem here. He is such a calming influence at the back.''
Saliba's time at Arsenal so far
Saliba was signed by Arsenal way back in 2020, with Mikel Arteta's side picking him off St Etienne after a promising break-through at the Ligue 1 club.
However, he wasn't selected in Arsenal's Premier League squad and was subsequently loaned out to Nice for the second-half of the season.
While compatriot and former St Etienne team-mate Wesley Fofana was earning rave reviews at Leicester, Saliba wasn't fancied at Arsenal.
And even after impressing back in his homeland, Saliba then spent a second year away from the Gunners, this time on loan at Marseille for the 2021/22 season.
Marseille are having the most Marseille summer ever...
Sampaoli walks because the club can't retain Saliba and Kamara... they bring in the excellent Clauss, as well as the 21/22 loanees... but then sign Nuno Tavares and consider Alexis Sánchez... ?!
Never a dull moment.— Dougie Critchley (@DougieCritchley) July 29, 2022
The Frenchman was excellent at Marseille, winning Ligue 1's 'Defender of the Year' award and earning his first senior France cap.
However, he's now returned to Arsenal, the club he joined two years ago but is still yet to play for.
He was one of Europe's best defenders last season, but Arteta hasn't trusted him previously, so with Benjamin White and Gabriel forming a solid partnership at the back last campaign, there are still concerns that Saliba may not be first-choice.
Furthermore, the Gunners were in heavy pursuit of Ajax's Lisandro Martinez, before losing out to Manchester United, which suggests that Arteta still wants to add to his centre-back roster.
However, if Juventus are able to land Gabriel then Saliba will be given a great opportunity to finally show his talent for Arsenal, rather than sit waiting in the wings.
