Former Arsenal right-back Lauren, a member of the club’s renowned ‘Invincibles’ title-winning side in 2003/04, has praised William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes’ defensive connection.
The Gunners have the Premier League’s best defensive record this season, and it might lead to them winning the championship for the first time in 20 years, as they stay in a tight battle with defending champions Manchester City.
Saliba and Gabriel both appear to be key players in Mikel Arteta’s team, and Lauren confesses he thinks they’re ‘amazing’. He also relished the opportunity to meet with them and have a closer look at them while the club was on pre-season tour last summer.
Lauren believes Saliba and Gabriel complement each other well and form a great team since they each have somewhat different skills and attributes that work well together to make Arsenal a true defensive force, something they haven’t been for a long time.
“There isn’t a better centre-back partnership than Gabriel and William Saliba in the Premier League, in my opinion. I was with the team back in the summer during their pre-season in the USA. I was talking to Saliba and Gabriel and I told them it’s been such a long time since I’ve seen two centre-backs with such a strong understanding of each other’s games.
Their communication and coordination is exceptional, and it’s been a long time since we’ve seen that at Arsenal. They’re the best pair in England at the moment, without a doubt,” Lauren said.
“One is more comfortable on the ball – Saliba, but that’s not to say Gabriel isn’t good in that are himself – and the other is more aggressive, in his tackles, in his aerial duels, and with his anticipation of the ball. They work so well together, and I think they’ve been absolutely outstanding.
“I love to see Gabriel’s passion, it’s fantastic. You need that kind of character at the back. He has so much quality on the ball, but he’s also so aggressive; he has all of the qualities you need at this level. When things don’t go well, he’s constantly talking to his teammates as well; Saliba made a couple of mistakes in the game against Chelsea, and Gabriel was straight over to him, talking to him and lifting him up. When I see that kind of thing, I can’t help but feel so proud.”
