Jamie Carragher, a renowned football analyst and former Liverpool star, recently expressed high praise for the Arsenal centre-back duo of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes. Writing for The Telegraph, he suggested that these two players could soon find their names in the Premier League hall of fame.
Saliba and Gabriel have formed an unyielding partnership at the heart of Arsenal's defence. Their performance last season was remarkable as they conceded only 29 goals in the Premier League matches - fewer than any other team in the league. Despite their youth, both players have shown immense potential and are expected to contribute significantly to Arsenal's future success.
Comparisons with legendary duos
Carragher drew comparisons between Saliba-Gabriel duo and some of the greatest defensive partnerships in Premier League history. He mentioned John Terry-Ricardo Carvalho from Chelsea and Rio Ferdinand-Nemanja Vidic from Manchester United as examples.
He attributed Chelsea's strength during their prime years to Terry-Carvalho partnership which saw them concede just 15 goals during 2004/05 season followed by only 22 goals next season. Similarly, Ferdinand-Vidic partnership also conceded a mere 22 goals during Manchester United’s successful campaign in 2007/08 season. Carragher emphasized that these duos were exceptional because both partners were equally talented – perfectly complementing each other on field.
In his article, Carragher also acknowledged other notable defenders like Vincent Kompany (Manchester City), Virgil Van Dijk (Liverpool) and Jaap Stam (Manchester United). However, he pointed out that while these individuals were outstanding defenders themselves; they lacked an equally skilled partner on field – something which sets Saliba-Gabriel apart according to him.
Pathway to Hall of Fame
Carragher believes that for Saliba and Gabriel to cement their place in the hall of fame, they need to win major trophies like the Premier League or Champions League. He also highlighted that while Saliba often receives more praise, both players are equally important for Arsenal's defence.
In addition to praising Arsenal's defensive duo, Carragher also acknowledged the role played by Declan Rice in fortifying Arsenal’s defence. Drawing parallels with Claude Makelele’s role at Chelsea, he emphasized how crucial a defensive midfielder can be in protecting the backline.
Last season, Mikel Arteta deployed Jorginho and Rice as midfielders with a primary focus on defending. This strategy paid off as Arsenal managed to hold Manchester City to a 0-0 draw. As they prepare for another showdown against Cityzens at The Etihad this season, Gunners will be hoping not just for another clean sheet but also all three points – aiming to lift their first league title since 2004.
