'I'm starting to feel the same': Arsenal star William Saliba believes players are starting to 'fear' him like Virgil van Dijk
William Saliba has hailed Virgil van Dijk as “the boss” but insists he is quickly following suit as one of the Premier League's best defenders.
He Arsenal The star joined the club in 2019 but had to wait until 2022 to make his big break in north London after three loan spells outside the Emirates.
Since joining the first team, he has made 83 appearances for the Gunners, helping them to second place in the Premier League in two consecutive seasons.
At only 23 years of age, Saliba could be a dominant force in the Premier League, just like Van Dijkwho has stood out in his six and a half years at Liverpool.
Although they face each other many times in the Premier League, Saliba and Van Dijk will be on rival teams when the Netherlands face France in Euro 2024 group d.
But ahead of the clash, Saliba had nothing but praise for the Liverpool star.
“Van Dijk has an aura,” he said. L'Equipe.
“He's the boss. He controls everything. You can feel like he's chasing away the strikers. And I'm starting to feel the same way.”
“I'm starting to see that the attackers are afraid.
“Sometimes when players are in your zone, they don't have fun.
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“When there is a one on one and the player is going to retreat, to get the ball, to escape from the duel, it is beautiful.”
When asked how it compares to the redCaptain Saliba said: “I think I'm in the top three (defenders in the league).
“We finished with the best defense. I watch a lot of games. I am a very humble person, but last season, like this one, I am among the three best defenders.
“I need to keep working to reach even higher.
“In terms of concentration, I'm much better. Before I could play an important match, but in one phase of the game I slept a little. That's not the case anymore. I'm always alert.”
France is among the favorites to reach Euro 2024, and Saliba's team knows that victory over the Netherlands could be fundamental in their aspiration to advance.
