Why Aaron Wan-Bissaka is called 'The Spider' as West Ham sign ace known for tackling ability that left Wilfried Zaha stunned
Aaron Wan-Bissaka is undoubtedly one of the best defensive players in the Premier League and that has earned him his unusual nickname of 'The Spider'.
And West Ham fans will be able to witness his performances first-hand after he changed Manchester United For irons in a 15 million pound deal.
After five years with the Red Devils, Hammers Fans will now be able to watch their new right-back stop any winger he faces.
And that defensive ability is where his nickname comes from…
Why is Wan-Bissaka called “The Spider”?
Wan-Bissaka has been given the nickname 'The Spider' due to his tackling ability.
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He is known as one of the best defensive players in the league, and it is a reputation he has built up throughout his career in the top flight.
Explaining the nickname in 2019, he said: “'The Spider' refers to the reach and length of my legs when I dive to tackle the ball. That's where the nickname comes from.”
It was in training against his former teammate. Wilfried Zaha in Crystal Palace Which earned Wan-Bissaka the nickname.
He told Manchester United's website: “That's when I realised my true strengths when playing against Zaha.
“It wasn’t easy and it was always a challenge, but at the same time it helped me and made me realise what it’s like to play against players like him in the Premier League.
“Now I would say my best attributes are dribbling, speed and tackling.”
Once Wan-Bissaka left Palace, the pair clashed time and again, with one game in January 2023 proving particularly frustrating for Zaha as he was denied a goal by his former team-mate when he was in front of goal.
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Speaking after Crystal Palace's 1-1 draw with Manchester United In January 2023, Zaha said: “Any other player…
“As I was running, I looked back and thought, ‘Oh my God… it’s Aaron.’ He’s the only one who can make a quick tackle. So it was a great tackle.”
Wan-Bissaka always had to compete with other Manchester United players, and Diogo Dalot was often the favourite.
Attacking full-backs are more sought after in modern football, meaning the former Manchester United defender saw less playing time than you might expect, but he is still a great example of a tackler – so much so that he gets his nickname from it!
And with West Ham having some very interesting attacking options, Wan-Bissaka should provide the balance they need to have a great season.
