William Saliba reveals his inspiration and how he is close to reaching his level

Arsenal centre-back William Saliba has opened up about his inspiration and how he is starting to reach the level of his role model, Virgil van Dijk. The French defender has had a stellar season, playing every minute of Arsenal’s campaign as they finished second in the Premier League with 89 points, just behind Manchester City who claimed the title with 91 points.

In a recent interview, Saliba revealed how Van Dijk has influenced his development as a defender. “Virgil van Dijk has the aura, for example. He’s the boss, he commands everything. You feel that it scares the attackers,” Saliba told the media. The Liverpool centre-back’s presence and commanding style have clearly left a mark on the young Arsenal star, who has been keen to emulate these qualities in his own game.

Saliba also shared how he feels he is beginning to instill a similar sense of fear in attackers. “But I’m starting to feel the same. I’m starting to see that the attackers feel fear. Sometimes, when players are in your area, they don’t have fun,” he added. This growing sense of dominance on the pitch has been a significant factor in Arsenal’s strong defensive record this season, which was one of the best in the league.

The young defender’s confidence has grown alongside his performances. “And when there is a one-on-one and the player will back down, take out the ball, flee the duel, it’s fun (smile),” Saliba noted, highlighting the satisfaction he derives from his defensive prowess.

Saliba’s emergence as a top-tier defender has been a crucial element of Arsenal’s success this season. As he continues to develop, drawing inspiration from the likes of Van Dijk, Arsenal fans can look forward to seeing even more commanding performances from their defensive stalwart. With his increasing influence and growing reputation, Saliba is set to be a cornerstone of the Gunners’ defense for years to come.