'I always say to him': William Saliba says Arsenal have a £23m player who is truly 'incredible'

01/28/2025 04:15 PM

Arsenal have a fantastic squad.

Injuries have hurt them badly this season, but all of their regular starters are up there with the best in their positions in the Premier League.

Saliba is among the best centre-backs in the world. He has been magnificent for the Gunners over the last two-and-a-half years, and he is the biggest reason why they are challenging for the title again.

However, Saliba can’t do it all alone – his partner at the back Gabriel Magalhaes has helped him massively.

William Saliba shares the funny thing he keeps telling Gabriel Magalhaes at Arsenal

Arsenal signed Gabriel for just £23.14 million in 2020 (BBC).

The Brazil international instantly became a starter under Mikel Arteta, and he has gotten better and better every season since.

Gabriel, like Saliba, is now one of the best central defenders on the planet, and his performances for Arsenal have been nothing short of brilliant.

The 27-year-old has been key off the pitch too. He is a real leader and helped Saliba a lot after he returned from his loan spell at Arsenal.

Speaking about Gabriel, the Arsenal number two hailed him as an ‘incredible’ defender. Saliba also claimed that he always tells the Brazilian that it’s almost like he’s French because of his ‘facial expressions’, which is quite funny.

He said, as per Arsenal.com: “He’s like a brother to me, we’re very close. As I always say to him, it’s as if he were French too, he has the same facial expressions as a French person because he was at Lille for a long time.

“He’s a great guy and an incredible defender."

Arsenal have a big Saliba and Gabriel problem that needs to be solved ASAP

Saliba and Gabriel have formed the best defensive partnership in the Premier League and perhaps even in Europe.

Arsenal are where they are today because of their solid defence, and the last thing they would want is to see that partnership broken.

To avoid that, Arsenal need to start contract talks with Saliba and Gabriel.

Both players will enter the final two years of their deals this summer, and that is dangerous territory. A number of huge clubs in Europe will pounce if they find out that either of them could be available.

Reports have claimed that Gabriel is open to extending his Arsenal contract. It remains to be seen now if the Gunners can convince Saliba to put pen to paper too in the coming days.