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William Saliba reveals the Liverpool defender he models his game on.
Virgil van Dijk has been praised by William Saliba as having a positive impact on his performance, calling the Liverpool star a “good defender to learn from.”
Saliba just made his Arsenal comeback following a protracted injury absence. Back in March, the French defender sustained a season-ending injury. This injury was a major factor in the Gunners’ inability to win the Premier League title for the first time in nearly 20 years.
The defender is expected to play again when his team takes against the MLS All-Stars on Thursday after starting for the Gunners in their first preseason encounter last week.
Before that game in Washington, D.C., Saliba spoke with the Daily Mail about the people who had shaped his game, naming Van Dijk as an example of an influence.
Saliba just made his Arsenal comeback following a protracted injury absence. Back in March, the French defender sustained a season-ending injury. This injury was a major factor in the Gunners’ inability to win the Premier League title for the first time in nearly 20 years.
The defender is expected to play again when his team takes against the MLS All-Stars on Thursday after starting for the Gunners in their first preseason encounter last week.
Saliba spoke with the Daily Mail ahead of the game in Washington, D.C., and mentioned Van Dijk as an influence on his style of play.
“I still watch him! I really like his quality in one-against-one, his calmness, his composure and his long balls as well. He has everything and, for me, he was a good defender to learn from,” Saliba said.
“I think he was – for two or three years – the best defender in the world.”
When asked if he can become the best defender in the world in the future, Saliba replied: “Of course I have the quality, but that means nothing. You have to work hard to go to this level. So I’m not close to this level but I will give everything to maybe one day become the best defender in the world.
“I’m looking forward to the future with this club. The future will be good for everyone, I hope. It won’t be easy but we will work hard for this and I know the club will be back at the very, very top. We have to do everything to win every title possible.”