Arsenal's absence from the top of the Premier League, following Manchester City's win over Leicester, lasted just over 24 hours as Mikel Arteta's side comfortably dispatched of Nottingham Forest on Sunday
Goals from Gabriel Martinelli, Reiss Nelson (2), Thomas Partey and Martin Odegaard sealed the win and saw Arsenal secure their fifth Premier League clean sheet of the season.
The Gunners have been relentless in attack so far this campaign scoring 30 goals in 12 games but their defence has been equally impressive considering the modifications to the backline which has seen injuries to Oleksandr Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu, who has since returned, force Mikel Arteta into playing Ben White and Tomiyasu out of position.
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Following the defeat to PSV in the Europa League there were some concerns surrounding Brazilian defender Gabriel after he was seen limping down the tunnel but he played the full 90 minutes against Forest alongside William Saliba who has been tremendous since returning from his loan with Marseille, where he won the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Season award.
Through his impressive displays, the 21-year-old could well join Gabriel, who signed a new long-term deal with the club, as The Athletic are reporting that Arsenal have begun formal negotiations and placed an offer.
Saliba is also catching the eye of many former professionals, with Darren Bent revealing, without hesitation, the Frenchman has been one of the best centre backs in the Premier League this season
Speaking on talkSPORT, he said: "If I had to pick two centre-backs, I mean I'm torn a little bit. So one would be William Saliba, but you agree with that. William Saliba would be one. I think he's been brilliant and you've seen it, how good he's been for Arsenal this season."
After signing from Saint-Etienne for a fee of £27million back in 2019 Saliba has spent the last three seasons out on loan but is now showing just how impressive he can be.
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