'One of the best': 12-second battle with Bukayo Saka proves the American truly is a Premier League superstar

Antonee Robinson has missed just three Premier League games in the last three seasons.

After a leading role in the maintenance Arsenal sensation Bukayo Saka Quiet last weekend, he has cemented his status as one of England's best full-backs.

It was a feeling shared by Fulham manager Marco Silva after his team's impressive 1-1 draw with Arsenal at Craven Cottage.

“It's been great for us,” Silva said. “He is one of the best left backs in this league.

“It's not just about the way it can stop players, but also about the way it can help ourselves.

“In open play, last season he was the winger in this league with the most assists and this season he is probably one of the wingers with the most assists.

“He is a great player and a great professional. He is a good athlete and is improving in some defensive positions that we want him to improve.

“He's getting better season after season, and week after week you can see he's getting better, and we're very proud to have him with us.”

After 15 rounds, Robinson leads all Premier League defenders with four assists this season after finishing fourth in the assists table last time out.

But against Arsenal, it was Robinson's defensive duties that really marked the progress he made throughout his England career, particularly in the last 12 months.

Facing one of the Premier League's elite wingers in SakaRobinson not only contributed to Fulham's impressive attacking display, but played a major role in keeping the England international through one of his calmest games of the season.

Saka came into the match with five goals and assists combined in his previous three games, but Robinson's match-high six tackles and the attention paid to the winger kept him at bay as Fulham continued a strong start to the season with a point valuable.

One moment in particular highlighted Robinson's outstanding performance and enhanced defensive capabilities as he presented a nightmare proposition for Saka.

With seven minutes left in the first half, Saka received the ball on Arsenal's right flank and immediately found Robinson behind him.

Saka spun and spun, but found no way past the American fullback who held him up, allowed his team to retreat, and finally took the ball out for a throw-in.

It was a moment that encompassed the diligent and determined performance that has become commonplace for Robinson and which saw him take over as Fulham captain in Tom Cairney's absence.

It was also a moment that encompassed what Jonathan Wilson wrote about Robinson in The Guardian after the draw.

“Since Fulham's return to the Premier League in 2022, the Milton Keynes-born US international has been one of the most consistent left-backs in the division and yet is a strangely undisputed figure,” he explained.

“He played a vital role in limiting Arsenal's threat. Where others tend to stay on the sidelines Bukayo SakaRobinson confronted him aggressively and got the best of their duel.”

Meanwhile, Miguel Delaney of the Independent even considered Robinson's performance to be the model and standard-bearer for anyone facing Saka, writing: “Antonee Robinson has handled Saka as well as anyone in world football – a performance brilliant individual”.

In addition to leading all defenders in assists this season, Robinson has also racked up the most combined tackles and interceptions to underline his growth as a complete fullback.

There is nothing easier. After Saka, Mohamed Salah enters.

On Saturday, Fulham travel to Anfield to face arguably the league's most potent threat in Salah. It's another big test for Robinson and there could be more than three points at stake.

Robinson looks to take Andy Robertson's place as the Premier League's best left-back and with the Scot reaching the end of his career Liverpool career, the links between 'Jedi' and the Scouse club only grow.

His energy and excellence at both ends of the pitch make him a natural replacement for Robertson and Fulham will likely face a huge battle to keep him at the club.