Arsenal star William Saliba believes he is on of the Premier League’s three best defenders and believes he is starting to build an ‘aura’ similar to that of Virgil van Dijk.
It is approaching the fifth anniversary of Saliba’s transfer from his boyhood club Saint-Etienne to the Gunners.
Saliba arrived as a callow teenager but already boasted a significant reputation, inflated by his £27million transfer fee.
The France international was forced to bide his time and make an impact in north London after he was sent out on loan on three separate occasions.
Having belatedly been given an opportunity and winning over Mikel Arteta, Saliba has been the mainstay and most important component of an increasingly impressive Arsenal defence.
The 23-year-old could yet play a key role for his country at the upcoming European Championships following an injury to Dayot Upamecano and Saliba now feels he deserves to be regarded among the elite defenders currently plying their trade in England.
‘I’m not the guy who talks a lot, but I’m talking more and more,’ Saliba told L’Equipe (via Get French Football).
‘I’m making progress in that regard. In defense at Arsenal, I’m one of the leaders. (Virgil) Van Dijk has an aura, for example.
‘He’s the boss, he commands everything. You can feel that he scares the attackers. But I’m starting to feel the same way.
‘I’m starting to see that the attackers are feeling fear. Sometimes, when the players are in your zone, they don’t have fun.
‘And when there’s a one-on-one and the player is going to retreat, bring the ball out, run away from the duel, it’s nice (smile).’
He added: ‘I think I am in the top three [defenders in the league]. We finished with the best defence.
‘I watch a lot of matches. I am a very humble person but last season, just like this season, I am in the top three defenders.
‘I need to continue to work to go even higher […] in terms of concentration, I am a lot better. Before, I could play a top match but in one phase of play, I slept a bit.
‘That is no longer the case. I am always on alert.’
