Martin Keown singles out Arsenal star for his ‘hunger’ in 2-2 draw with Sporting
Martin Keown praises ‘brilliant’ William Saliba, stating that the Arsenal star is ‘growing in stature’ and developing into a ‘proper central defender’ after his goal against Sporting.
Martin Keown has praised William Saliba after his goal in Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Sporting in the Europa League on Thursday.
Mikel Arteta made several changes from the team that beat Bournemouth in dramatic fashion last Saturday, but Saliba remained in the starting line-up and gave the Gunners the lead with a fine header on 22 minutes.
Arsenal couldn’t hold off a win in Lisbon, but Keown was still impressed by Saliba, and believes he is going from strength to strength since returning from multiple loan spells in France.
“Just a word about Saliba, a player Arsenal bought three years ago and went on loan for three seasons, you’d be thinking ‘am I really going to be an Arsenal player?’ Keown told BT Sport.
‘This is his first season as an Arsenal player and in the opening game of the season against Crystal Palace he was man of the match and has been brilliant ever since.
Arsenal’s William Saliba scored with a well-placed header in the first half
Martin Keown has praised Saliba for coming to Arsenal and making a big impact
“I think he’s growing in stature, just listening to him talk and the goal he scored tonight, his performance – he’s a proper central defender.” He and Gabriel form a very good partnership, I think he is ahead of Gabriel.
‘He is doing everything you want, he is hungry, he takes responsibility because he wants to go to the next round. She has given her all for the cause.
He is very serene, strong. Again it has the ingredient, the rhythm. Look at the goal, I guess Tony Adams excelled at scoring from set pieces and got back in on the act – it’s a good habit if his head is ball first in any area. He’s a really nice header, he keeps it low.’
Arsenal are likely to enter next week’s second leg as favorites to advance to the Europa League quarter-finals in front of their home fans at the Emirates Stadium after securing a draw in the Portuguese capital.
Keown believes Arteta’s men may have wanted a breather in the tie by winning the first leg, but admitted they could have no complaints with the result.
“I think they would have wanted to win the game,” Keown said. “But in the end I think a draw was a fair result.”
