With Arsenal’s William Saliba continuing to impress in the early stages of the new season, Fox Sports asked him if he believes he’s the best defender in the world.
“I have been on the right track for the past two seasons, especially last season,” Saliba answered. “I am perhaps on my way to becoming the best defender in the world.
“I think I am [just] one of the best at the moment, but to say that (I’m the best), I have to win some titles. I think that is what I am missing right now.
“If you win titles you are good and if you don’t, you can’t say you are the best. That’s what I believe.”
Saliba certainly has a lot of points in his favour when it comes to debates about the world’s best centre-backs.
He’s been part of an extremely effective Arsenal defence for the last couple of years, he transferred that form to the French national team in the Euros, and his absence was keenly felt the last time he was absent from Mikel Arteta’s team for an extended period.
Even when it comes to injuries, Saliba has been consistently available for Arsenal since the end of the 2022/23 season, playing every single minute of the 2023/24 Premier League campaign and every minute so far in 2024/25 as well.
To be the best, you do have to have that kind of luck with injuries. It’s no good spending most of your career in the medical room reminding people of the few games you played.
But Saliba is right that you also need to rack up some trophies to be the best. The true legends of the game are part of winning teams, and so far, Saliba’s honours list only includes the Community Shield.
It’s no bad thing that Saliba still has that motivation to win things at his age though. Just 23 years old, he should still be striving to improve and reach new levels.
The concern will be that if Arsenal continue to miss out on major honours, Saliba might start to see an exit as the only way to earn his status as the world’s best. It’s up to him and the rest of the team to ensure that’s not necessary.
