One of the weakest areas in the Arsenal team in recent years has arguably been at centre-back.
The Gunners conceded 51 goals in the 2018/19 season which was 18 more than Manchester City who won the title and even more than Newcastle United who finished way down in 13th (via Transfermarkt).
In an effort to tighten things up in the short-term, Unai Emery brought in David Luiz from Chelsea this summer. Furthermore, he also signed 18-year-old William Saliba in the hope that he could be a long-term solution in the heart of defence.
The Frenchman was brought in from Saint-Etienne but was immediately loaned back to the Ligue 1 club in order to ensure he got plenty of game time this season.
A hamstring injury initially kept him out of the team, but he made his first start against Lyon prior to the international break and played his part, helping the team win and keep a clean sheet (via Transfermarkt).
Naturally, the Gunners have been keeping track with their player’s progress, and according to the Athletic, they have been impressed with his physicality so far, but there are some areas of concern.
Arsenal fans have been responding to this information, some say that he is still only 18 and that they would expect him to have weaknesses. Meanwhile, others aren’t convinced that he will make improvements with the Gunners due to their poor recent record with defenders.
Here is what some of them had to say…
groin problem or not hes still better than luiz
— HaiderK786 (@K786Haider) October 16, 2019
He’s 18 he’s for the future of course he’s gonna have to work on things
— Cody Bristow (@CodybBristow) October 16, 2019
I’m so scared to even watch him play this season man. If ARSENAL thinks he needs stuff to improve then boii are we in for a treat
— Bart Kuma VI (@Gunner_MJS) October 16, 2019
If he was 18 and had no areas that needed improving then I would be concerned.
— Carl (@MrCarlos91) October 16, 2019
There’s no better team than us, to make a defender become better. 😂
— Ati (@Ati_U_85) October 16, 2019
Defenders come to arsenal to get better of course
— Roli Tshindane (@RoliTshindane) October 16, 2019
