Rio Ferdinand singles out 'unreal' Arsenal star despite Newcastle defeat

07 November 2023 , 08:58

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Rio Ferdinand singles out 'unreal' Arsenal star despite Newcastle defeat

Arsenal players and fans might have been left reeling from their defeat at Newcastle on Saturday but Rio Ferdinand has still hailed the "unreal" display of defender William Saliba.

The post-match talk has been dominated by the controversy surrounding Anthony Gordon's second half winner. Despite a VAR check for three separate incidents in the build-up to the goal, including the ball appearing to go out of play, the decision wasn't overturned which later prompted a scathing rant from Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta.

But Ferdinand was instead keen to focus on the performance of the Frenchman. Saliba signed a new deal with Arsenal in the summer, extending his contract until 2028, and has justified that deal with his displays so far this campaign.

He was colossal in the 1-0 win over Manchester City earlier in the season, and has missed just one of his side's 11 Premier League games. And former Manchester United man Ferdinand singled him out when analysing the Newcastle defeat.

“He was unreal,” the pundit told the FIVE podcast, before admitting one moment in particular made him feel nostalgic. “He played well, he done a bit of skill as well and I thought ‘that reminds me (of himself)’! It was nice."

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The 22-year-old joined in Arsenal in 2019 for £27million, a deal that raised eyebrows given he'd made just 16 league appearances for Saint-Etienne. He was loaned straight back to his former club, and then had further spells at Rennes and Marseille before finally making his debut for the Gunners in 2022.

Saliba is enjoying another impressive campaign (Hans van der Valk/Orange Pictures/REX/Shutterstock)

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But he became a pivotal player under Mikel Arteta as Arenal pushed for the Premier League title last season, before his campaign was ended in March by picking up a back injury in the Europa League against Sporting CP. And that was widely perceived as a crucial moment in derailing Arteta's side as the faltered in the closing weeks.

Saliba has also been capped 10 times by France, appearing in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. But despite his individual form, the centre-back - and his teammates - now have to respond to a damaging week.

Arsenal were beaten by London rivals West Ham in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, before the defeat on Tyneside left them three points off leaders Man City. The Gunners now host Sevilla in the Champions League on Wednesday before welcoming Burnley at the weekend.

Fraser Watson