Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has revealed that part of his message to defensive star William Saliba was to play with freedom in the Crystal Palace win as Jamie Carragher delivers verdict on Premier League debut.
The Gunners kicked off 2022/23 on the right foot this time around, unlike last season, as Mikel Arteta's side enacted revenge on Patrick Vieira's Crystal Palace with a 2-0 victory on opening night at Selhurst Park. Gabriel Martinelli's first half-headed effort was followed up late in the second by Bukayo Saka's deflected goal as Arsenal produced the perfect response to the 3-0 defeat last time out in south London.
Amongst the standout performers was Premier League debutant Saliba who received Man of the Match by Sky Sports for his commanding performance in the backline for Arteta's side. This was something echoed in football.london's player ratings from the affair in which the Frenchman scored an impressive 8 out of 10 with the justification: 'Such an impressive Premier League debut from the Frenchman who was assured throughout against a tricky Palace attack. Rarely forced into last ditch defending because of his excellent positioning, but pulled it off sublimely when needed. 8.'
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Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher also waxed lyrical on the former Marseille man who was finally given the vote of confidence, two years after signing for the club. The former of the pair even made a Rio Ferdinand comparison this early on into the season, while Carragher sent a message of his own to the 21-year-old on social media.
His tweet read when quoting Saliba's stats: 'Very impressive tonight!'
Most importantly, what did Arteta make of the performance of a player who has almost certainly guaranteed his place for the next encounter against Leicester City in game week two?
It's safe to say he was impressed and his message to the defender in question pre-match let us more into the man-management of the squad - something that has been analysed deeply after the All or Nothing Amazon documentary was released earlier this week.
"You don’t really see that at 21 years old for a debut in the Premier League against this opponent where you face difficult players and resolve the situation the way he’s done it with that composure, with that calmness and with that presence. So big credit to the boy," Arteta said in his post-match press conference on Friday night.
Unai Emery's successor added on the message he sent Saliba pre-match: "Let him be and let him play. It’s the way he’s done it. The way we have tried to develop that player with his consent and with his knowledge. To sign a player at 19 and bring him back two years later is unusual and he’s been so determined and willing to come here and now prove the point that he’s ready. Now we are exposing the player in a really difficult environment where he can be comfortable and navigate and enjoy as well."
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