Scott Minto has suggested that he was amazed by the performance of one Arsenal player on Sunday, noting that he outshone William Saliba in one particular way at the Etihad Stadium.
Arsenal remain very much in the Premier League title picture after their trip to face Manchester City. A goalless draw saw them miss the chance to return to the summit. However, it did see Mikel Arteta’s men prove a real point.
David Raya was given very little to do, apart from one save from Nathan Ake during the first-half. And that was largely down to the superb defensive work of the backline.
William Saliba was exceptional up against Erling Haaland, with the Frenchman being named the player of the match as the full-time whistle loomed.
Pundit lauds ‘sensational’ Arsenal player after Manchester City draw
But speaking on the Premier League All Access podcast, Scott Minto suggested that one of Saliba’s teammates should probably take more of the credit for Haaland having such an off day against the Gunners.
“I thought Gabriel actually, was sensational against Haaland. And I think he was talking to him during the game as well in bits that we didn’t see, getting into Haaland and getting him frustrated,” he said.
“We mentioned there about the miss he had, I don’t think he was in the right place. But actually I think Gabriel, more than Saliba, was on at him, was all over him like a rash, but also verbally on top of him.”
A statement from the Gunners’ defence
It was definitely a disappointing day for Haaland. No player on either side had more attempts on goal than the Norwegian, according to Whoscored. And yet, he rarely looked like finding the back of the net.
Gabriel, in particular, seemed to absolutely relish the battle with Haaland. And the pair were seen continuing to hold a debate after the full-time whistle.
Manchester City can take positives from securing a point when they had the likes of Kyle Walker and John Stones missing through injury. Ake joined them on the sidelines during the first-half.
But it felt like a bigger result for Arsenal. The Gunners are still awaiting their first win at the Etihad Stadium since 2015. But avoiding defeat saw them still clear a hurdle, and keeps them right in the mix to end that 20-year wait for a title.
While Saliba and the £23 million Brazilian are still fit, they have every chance of getting across the line.
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