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THIS has been a sobering season for William Saliba.
With aspirations of becoming the world’s best defender, the young Frenchman admits his performances have been nowhere near the levels he demands of himself.
Getty
Getty
And with dreams of lifting major silverware for Arsenal, he has brutally told his teammates they are in danger of being FORGOTTEN about after another botched pursuit of the Premier League title.
Yet for all the disappointments and injuries so far this term, it could still end in glory with a Champions League quarter final on the horizon – something Saliba still believes the Gunners can win.
Mikel Arteta’s men are on course for a third-straight Prem campaign in second place, currently 15 points adrift of Arne Slot’s runaway Liverpool with 10 games remaining.
Long-term injuries to Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus – as well as failing to sign a striker in the transfer window – has left Arsenal crippled at times, ultimately costing them.
But ahead of their Champions League last 16 second leg at home to PSV on Wednesday – with a 7-1 lead from last week’s first leg in Eindhoven – centre back Saliba, 23, said: “This season we don’t deserve to be top [of the Prem].
“If Liverpool are first it is because they did something we didn’t do. They are so good as well. Of course there’s a big gap but we have to keep going.
“And there’s the Champions League so we will push. We have to keep believing. We all believe that we can do it.
“I want to win big things with Arsenal. If you leave this club without winning anything the fans will forget about you.
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“We are close. We are very close. We don’t stop working. When you are close like this, when you don’t win trophies, it’s sad but we have to keep going.
“With the work, we will do the big step and I’m really sure that we will arrive there. If we don’t believe or if we don’t dream to win the Champions League there is no point to play.”
Saliba was forced to prove himself after signing for Arsenal in July 2019 for around £27m – sent immediately on loan spells in his native France with former club St Etienne, OGC Nice and Marseille.
Now, in his third Prem season, he is considered one of the best defenders on the planet – his performances under Arteta sparking the interest of Real Madrid.
In Europe, Arsenal have conceded just four goals in nine games, and have the best defence in the Prem with just 24 goals conceded – three less than Liverpool.
But Saliba is his own harshest critic, suggesting there is plenty more work to do to be compared with his idol Sergio Ramos, “unbelievable” Reds skipper Virgil van Dijk and centre back partner Gabriel.
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DECLAN RICE rescued a point for Arsenal after David Raya failed to stop a Bruno Fernandes freekick.
Fernandes’ set piece was followed by a brilliant Rice strike in the second half, leaving the sides with a point apiece.
After a quiet first half, both sides woke up and provided more going forward after the break but lacked quality in the final third.
Raya’s display in the second half more than made up for his earlier error and, alongside Rice, kept his side in the game.
Coming off the back of a riotous 7-1 victory over PSV, Arsenal reverted to their goal scoring woes and proved once again that they desperately need a striker.
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Saliba explained: “I want to one day be the best defender in the world. I know I have to work a lot and to win trophies as well – but that’s my dream.
“I am not so far. I am not the best at the moment because, for me, this season I have not been so good. I have to review my season, I have to work on my game.
“I have to watch especially my partner, Gabriel, who has been so, so good this season. There are a few [defenders better].
“I have to focus on myself and work more on my concentration, I have to score more and help my team more to win trophies. When you win trophies, you can say you’re the best.
“If you want to win trophies, the defence has to be very good. First of all you, if you don’t concede and you keep clean sheets, you give yourself the best chance of winning the game.
“I have to push, to demand more of myself to help my team.”
Arteta is hoping to rest a few key players for the second leg against PSV – with a quarter final against either Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid on the cards early next month.
The Spaniard said: “We’ve done a lot in this competition and the most exciting part is still to coming up now. That’s why we have to make sure we finish the job.
“I have full belief that we can compete against any team left in the competition, get the best out of ourselves in every detail and define the moment to go through.”
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