Arsenal have 'outstanding' £27m weapon as Gary Neville dishes praise after City draw

Ex-Manchester United star Gary Neville has heaped the praise on William Saliba after his performance for Arsenal in their draw with Manchester City on Sunday. The two title contenders played out a stalemate at the Etihad Stadium, with neither side able to craft any true clear-cut openings.

Liverpool piled the pressure on the clash in the early kick-off on Sunday, coming from behind to secure a 2-1 victory over Brighton. Goals from Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah ensured that the Reds moved to the top of the table after Danny Welbeck’s opener, ensuring that even more was at stake for City and Arsenal.

However, neither side were able to respond at the Etihad. In a chess-like encounter, Pep Guardiola’s side were unable to capitalise on their 72 per cent possession to break down the Arsenal defence, with Erling Haaland failing to make his mark on the contest.

Gunners star Saliba, who joined the club for £27million from Saint-Etienne in 2019, has received the credit for ensuring that the Norway international wasn’t able to influence the play, with the centre-back being awarded Sky Sports’ Player of the Match as a result.

Gary Neville heaped the praise on Saliba 

Neville lauded Saliba when explaining the decision to give the Frenchman the award, explaining: “Saliba has been absolutely outstanding, a giant on the pitch.

“A special mention to Gabriel as well, who wasn’t far behind in his performance. But this has answered the question of how much Saliba was missed last season.”