‘Minister of Defense’ – Arsenal fans praise Saliba’s performance in Europa League
Arsenal put in a tough fight as they drew 2-2 with Sporting Lisbon in the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 first leg on Thursday night.
French defender William Saliba gave the Gunners the lead before Gancalo Inacio equalised for Sporting. Paulinho made it 2-1 to the Portuguese giants in the second half but the Gunners were able to pull one back via Hidemasa Morita’s own goal.
Saliba was singled out for his performance, putting in a solid defensive display despite conceding twice. Fans praised him for his consistency in the Gunners backline where he has formed a solid partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes.
Still only 21 years of age, many Arsenal fans believe the former Saint-Etienne player still has his best years ahead of him which gives them confidence Arsenal are heading in the right direction.
⚽️ William Saliba (3) has now scored more goals in all competitions for Arsenal this season than Richarlison (2) has scored for Tottenham in all competitions this season pic.twitter.com/UEAzJyPIfj
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) March 9, 2023
William Saliba's game by numbers vs. Sporting:
100% aerial duels won
91% pass accuracy
95 touches
8x possession won
6 duels contested
4 duels won
4 clearances
4 accurate long balls
1 shot
1 goalHis third goal of the season. ⚽#UEL pic.twitter.com/qM21ciqFc2
— Squawka (@Squawka) March 9, 2023
William Saliba's first ever goal in European competition meant 𝗮 𝗹𝗼𝘁 ❤️ 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/PDQP90McVz
— Young World🌏 (@yongworld2) March 10, 2023
🚨 Can't believe we upgraded from Mustafi and Sokratis to Gabriel and Saliba.
Minister of Defense 👍👍 pic.twitter.com/jxKkoua8t4
— WorshipGod Ebukanson (@Arsenaljury) February 28, 2023
William Saliba has scored his third goal for Arsenal, and his first ever in European competitions.
Opener. ☝️ pic.twitter.com/ezz8y6HJnV
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) March 9, 2023
William Saliba appreciation tweet. 🧊 pic.twitter.com/K6cka6wwn9
— afcstuff (@afcstuff) March 9, 2023
William Saliba on coming back from behind again:
"We know we can come back always, we never give up. That's a good mentality from the team. We'll do this every time.
But, it's always better to lead. But when we don't lead we have to comeback." [BT] pic.twitter.com/OPXSrurJwx
— AfcVIP⁴⁹ (@VipArsenal) March 9, 2023
Martin Keown on Saliba: "This is his first season as an #Arsenal player and in the first game of the season against Crystal Palace he was man of the match and he’s been brilliant ever since" pic.twitter.com/8wHlMhkehN
— Gunners (@Goonerplanet) March 10, 2023
William Saliba has scored more goals (3) than Richarlison (2) this season pic.twitter.com/ygCxOAksfa
— Flappyhandski (@Faaabianskiii) March 10, 2023
What a hard game to assess and describe. This is not the way we usually play, and we probably didn’t deserve to win. But, we are going to the second leg with a certain advantage. I thought William Saliba was the Man of the Match.
— Eduardo Hagn (@EduardoHagn) March 9, 2023
🔴 Top of the Premier League.
🧱 Joint-second best defence in the league.
🇫🇷 Reached World Cup final.
⚽️ Scored first Premier League & European goals.William Saliba's only 21 🔥 pic.twitter.com/auTn7vWV9q
— GiveMeSport (@GiveMeSport) March 9, 2023
Sometimes we forget that Saliba is only 21
he will hit his prime in 5 years😘 pic.twitter.com/1oeCdD5u1h
— UpYourArsenal🔴⚪🔴⚪♥️ (@UPYOURARSENAL04) March 9, 2023
Saliba always looks like he loves being at this club ❤ pic.twitter.com/abFaAU241u
— Gunners (@Gunnersc0m) March 9, 2023
Think you just take the draw after that. Scrappy performance, could easily have lost. Saliba the best of the bunch, Vieira lively in attack. Tie still very much alive ahead of next week's second leg.
— Charles Watts (@charles_watts) March 9, 2023
William Saliba the 𝙙𝙞𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 maker. 🇫🇷 #UEL pic.twitter.com/6CZBJUfbWX
— TheAFCnewsroom (@TheAFCnewsroom) March 9, 2023
William Saliba has scored one goal in each of Arsenal’s kits this season. How satisfying! 🤣 pic.twitter.com/yY84mJtv0p
— AFCTALK (@AFCTalk0) March 9, 2023
Empty stadium and all I can hear is saliba chant lol.
— ARDENT GOONER (@saltimes) March 9, 2023
Keown says Saliba is ahead of Gabriel… considering how high I regard Keown's opinion (on defenders), understand that's a crucial take… and he's a Gabriel stan. Confirms many things. Saliba will outgrow Gabriel's tutelage in due time. Noticed things 1st half.
— 2014FHD, Track 12 #Minichats (@MiniShubz) March 9, 2023
Low quality game. The Europa League has this ominous ability to bring you down to its level, but a draw was probably fair. Normal for Arsenal to lack fluency after five changes, some poor individual performances though.
Saliba top, Vieira good first half, Tomiyasu sharp too.
— Phil Costa (@_PhilCosta) March 9, 2023
Gabriel and Saliba marriage still intact😂. For better and for worse 😅 pic.twitter.com/wrA6oGhUIW
— ArsenHolic🇰🇪 (@Dancomunyao) March 9, 2023
Saliba btw, absurd player. He’s an actual freak, great performance. So lucky to have him, one of the only shining lights of a shit performance👍🏼
— B.N (@BennicAFC) March 9, 2023
Today’s performance was one of the worst this season on the positive side Saliba & Tomiyasu were sublime today . Time to now focus on the second leg and make sure we win at the Emirates.
— 𝕽𝖚𝖙𝖙𝖔 (@ezrandez) March 9, 2023
