William Saliba made Arsenal history as the Gunners’ ended their campaign with a 2-1 win against Everton on Sunday afternoon.
Arsenal got the win they needed against the Toffees at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, but it wasn’t enough to see the Gunners crowned Premier League champions.
As Manchester City were able to beat West Ham United at the Etihad Stadium, they secured their fourth successive Premier League title.
The North London club can still look back on this campaign with a great deal of pride. For Mikel Arteta’s side to have kept pace with Manchester City until the final game of the season is an achievement by itself.
The Spanish coach will now be looking to take his side one step further next season. Speaking to the Emirates Stadium crowd after the win over Everton, Arteta made a promise to Arsenal fans of success yet to come.
William Saliba makes Arsenal history with Premier League feat
Meanwhile, William Saliba made history against the Toffees. As reported by journalist Sam Dean on X, the French centre-back became the first outfield player to ever play every minute of a Premier League season for Arsenal.
The last Arsenal player to achieve the feat of playing every minute of a league campaign was Lee Dixon, who managed it in the 1989/90 season, prior to the inception of the Premier League.
Saliba has been sensational for Arsenal this season. Alongside Gabriel Magalhaes in the heart of the Gunners’ rearguard, the 23-year-old has been consistently excellent.
William Saliba took his game to a new level for Arsenal this season
Arsenal mounted the most solid defensive showing in the top flight of English football this season, as they only conceded 29 times across the entire campaign. Saliba and Gabriel underlined their credentials as the best centre-back partnership in the Premier League with their efforts this season.
Saliba has also stepped up in the big games for Arsenal this season. He produced Man of the Match performances in the Premier League away from home against Manchester City, Liverpool, and Manchester United. Saliba enhanced his reputation significantly with these showings.
Arteta will be desperately hoping that both the 13-cap France international and Gabriel are both able to remain fit and in scintillating form again next season.
The fact that Saliba is capable of playing every minute of a league campaign is of course excellent news for Arsenal, but does not offer much hope to the likes of Jakub Kiwior, who is yet to really show what he can do as a centre-back for the Gunners.
