Arsenal defender William Saliba has said that Manchester City striker Erling Haaland is one of the best players he has played against in his career.
The Frenchman played a big part in the north London club’s previous Premier League campaign where they spent the majority of the campaign at the top of the table, only for them to fall away in the final weeks and see City overtake them to win the title.
With the new top-flight campaign now underway, the centre-back has shared some details on what it’s like to face off against City’s star striker.
Saliba hails Haaland
Speaking in a recent video on the Sky Sports Premier League YouTube channel, Saliba had this to say about Haaland and what it’s like to play against him.
He said: “He’s one of the best, top three that I’ve played against. He’s so good, everyone knows he’s so good.
“You have to be focused all the game. Maybe during 10 minutes, you can’t see him then and then after he will score so you have to be so focused.”
The 22-year-old has played against Haaland on three occasions, two of which came last season, the first being the 1-0 defeat to Pep Guardiola’s side in the FA Cup, followed by their 3-1 defeat in the Premier League at the Emirates where the Norwegian got his name on the scoresheet.
Having both then played in the Community Shield last month, the Gunners won on penalties after a 1-1 draw in 90 minutes.
With Haaland scoring 52 goals in 53 appearances in all competitions last season, it’s no surprise that Saliba recognises the striker, who City paid £51m to sign last summer, as one of the best in the world right now and that he has to be focused at all times to try and stop him from scoring.