Iconic former Arsenal defender Kolo Toure has now named the one attribute which sets William Saliba apart from the rest.
Kolo Toure was a fantastic defender for Arsenal.
The Ivorian arrived in England as a virtual unknown, joining the North London club in 2002. He went on to make over 300 appearances for the Gunners, before moving to join Manchester City in 2009. The 43-year-old latterly enjoyed spells with Liverpool and Celtic, before hanging up his boots in 2017.
In his time at Arsenal, Toure won two FA Cups, and was also a key figure in the team that won the 2003/04 Premier League title without losing a single match. That side are still remembered as the Invincibles, and were the last Arsenal team to be crowned champions of England.
Arsenal progress built upon William Saliba
Toure still keeps a close eye on goings on at the Emirates Stadium. He has heaped praise on Bukayo Saka, claiming that the Hale End academy graduate would have gotten into the Gunners’ starting XI during the Invincibles era.
Now, Mikel Arteta has made the Gunners genuine title contenders again. His team were able to keep pace with Manchester City until the final game of the season last time out. The aim now will be to go one step better in the upcoming campaign, and lift the trophy themselves. Arteta has promised Arsenal fans that silverware is on its way.
Arsenal’s recent progress and success has been built upon their solidity at the back. No Premier League side conceded fewer goals than the Gunners last season, who saw their net breached just 29 times in 38 matches.
Kolo Toure hails key William Saliba quality
William Saliba has been at the heart of this resilience. Despite being just 23-years-old, the French centre-back is already one of the finest exponents of his position in the Premier League, if not the world. He is preternaturally composed on the ball, has demonstrated remarkable consistency, and can hold his own physically too.
However, Toure believes there is one particular attribute possessed by the former Saint-Etienne man that really allows him to stand out.
Speaking on the official Premier League YouTube channel, the 120-cap former Ivory Coast international said: “The strength that he has is his speed. He is such a rapid player.”
The 15-cap France star is indeed incredibly quick, and alongside Gabriel Magalhaes’ aggression, aerial prowess, and tenacity, the duo make for an intimidating and well-rounded defensive pairing. Saliba and Gabriel have been described as the best centre-back partnership in the Premier League.