‘Do not underestimate’ William Saliba’s hidden role in Arsenal’s win vs Newcastle
William Saliba played a crucial role in Arsenal’s dramatic win away at Newcastle United in the Premier League.
Gabriel Magalhaes scored the winner for the North London side, heading home a corner in the 96th minute to secure all three points for the Gunners.
Nick Woltemade had given Newcastle a first half lead, with Mikel Merino levelling the scores late on in the second half, before the Arsenal centre back struck the crucial blow.
The result means that Mikel Arteta’s side now sit second in the Premier League, just two points adrift of table topping Liverpool.
William Saliba praised for role in Arsenal’s winning goal
Saliba started the game against Newcastle on the bench, but was brought on for Cristhian Mosquera at half-time with Arsenal 1-0 down.
The Gunners were able to turn the match on its head in the second period, with two late headers ensuring Mikel Arteta’s side took all three points back to North London.
Speaking on BBC’s Match of the Day 2, former Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart praised Saliba for the role he played in Arsenal’s winning goal.
The French centre-back managed to get in front of Newcastle’s Nick Pope as a last-minute corner was swung into the box, and held off the goalkeeper to allow Gabriel to head into an empty net.
Hart said: “Do not underestimate William Saliba. Nick Pope is a top dominant keeper, but just as the ball comes in, Saliba comes round on the blindside (and stands in front of him).
“Six foot four, close to 100kg. Saliba goes, Get past me if you can. Pope is dying to be a good teammate, but he’s been blindsided, the strength isn’t there, and he’s stuck in no man’s land.”
Saliba is still Arsenal’s first-choice
There was some surprise when the team sheets came out ahead of Arsenal’s game at Newcastle, with Saliba left on the bench as Mosquera was trusted to start.
For so long we have become accustomed to the French international starting every single match alongside Gabriel, in the heart of the Gunners defence.
Saliba is still returning from an ankle injury, which was a factor in Arteta’s decision to leave him out, but the game against Newcastle proved the 24-year-old is still a crucial part of this Arsenal side.
Mosquera struggled in the first half against the ferocious press the home side implemented, and hinted that he isn’t quite yet at the level of the two centre-backs above him in the pecking order.
The young Spaniard gives Arteta the chance to rotate his backline, but going forward it is likely that Saliba will still be starting all of the crucial games alongside Gabriel.