Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has called what William Saliba and Gabriel are doing ‘strange’ after a strong start to the season.
The Gunners have enjoyed a fine start to the season, sitting top of the Premier League, whilst qualifying for the Champions League Round of 16 as group winners.
Mikel Arteta’s side have become a more robust side this campaign, having conceded only ten goals so far, with six clean sheets to boot.
This defensive solidity has been welcomed by the return of the partnership between William Saliba and Gabriel, who have been exceptional in the Arsenal backline.
When asked about whether the duo has surprised him with their performances, Arteta was candid with his response:
“To see those two centre-backs at that age doing what they are doing in the PL, that’s very strange.
“But credit to them. That’s a partnership. Building a relationship and chemistry, there isn’t a company with the stats that can give you that information.
“It’s impossible to measure. But there is something there. It’s no tangible but it’s very, very important in certain positions and those two certainly have that.
Arteta started the season without Gabriel, with the Brazilian sitting amongst the substitutes for the first few games of the campaign.
But since he returned to the starting lineup, the 25-year-old has excelled for the Gunners, with assured performances against Crystal Palace, Brentford and most notably Manchester City.
However, Arteta was offered a cryptic reply when asked about whether the partnership of Saliba and Gabriel will be Arsenal’s for years to come.
“In football it’s tomorrow,” said the 41-year-old. “It’s about form, how you are playing, how you behave and you have to earn your place every single day.
“Because someone else is next to you and he wants to take it away and he deserves it.
“So sometimes you just need to sit down on the bench and realise things and then you suddenly become a much better player.”
