Virgil van Dijk, extensively thought of one in every of many prime defenders of newest years, carried out a significant operate in Liverpool‘s 2018-19 UEFA Champions League and 2019-20 Premier League titles and continues to objective for further success collectively along with his group. No matter his accolades, Van Dijk center-back was humble in his reward for thought of one in every of Arsenal’s rising defensive stars.
On talks with Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand, van Dijk was requested to name a defender at current excelling throughout the recreation, and he didn’t hesitate to determine on Arsenal’s William Saliba: “Saliba is making glorious steps in the intervening time, he’s a steady one, in possession he’s doing an excellent job… You already know, I really feel if I’m reliable, after I used to be that age, I was nowhere near the place he was proper now.
Van Dijk went on to debate how discovering out elite defenders helps him proceed bettering his private recreation. “I like to take a look at completely different defenders and determine up so many issues from them. There’s so many good ball collaborating in throughout the coronary heart half… I positively watch video video games particularly on one of the best stage. You’ll be capable to on a regular basis determine up positive points, however moreover think about that teams are defending one other method that we’re defending, so it’s a should to carry that in ideas too,” Van Dijk acknowledged.
No matter his achievements, along with profitable PFA Avid gamers’ Participant of the 12 months, Premier League Participant of the Season, and even competing with Lionel Messi for the Ballon d’Or, van Dijk emphasised the importance of ongoing progress. “I actually really feel like at any age chances are you’ll proceed to study, and I positively nonetheless do that,” he ended.
Saliba was signed to be part of a youthful problem led by supervisor Mikel Arteta in Arsenal. No matter being Premier League’s runners-up closing season, the Frenchman will seemingly be attempting forward to take care of beautiful followers and players collectively along with his performances.
Saliba’s distinctive form with Arsenal
Saliba has been pivotal in Arsenal’s resurgence beneath supervisor Mikel Arteta. Integral to the 2023-24 advertising marketing campaign, the youthful center-back featured in 50 of Arsenal’s 52 video video games, turning into the primary Arsenal participant throughout the Premier League interval to play every minute of a league season.
His spectacular form earned him a spot throughout the PFA Premier League Workforce of the 12 months alongside teammate Martin Ødegaard. Moreover, at merely 23, Saliba has already set knowledge with the Gunners, turning into the quickest participant in membership historic previous to achieve 50 Premier League wins, attaining the feat in solely 66 appearances.
