EXCLUSIVE
Gabby Agbonlahor believes William Saliba is Arsenal's only genuinely world class player - not Martin Odegaard or Bukayo Saka.
The forward pair have again proved pivotal for the Gunners as they chase down a first Premier League title in 20 years.
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Skipper Odegaard has provided calmness and leadership whilst Saka's 14 goals has helped fire Mikel Arteta’s side to the Premier League summit.
Both played key roles in the Gunners’ run to the Champions League quarter-finals this season, showcasing their ever-growing reputations on the biggest stage.
But former Aston Villa striker Agbonlahor does not view either player in the ‘world class’ bracket, instead, associating the tagline with the pair’s Arsenal teammate.
“I was having this debate with a taxi driver yesterday who was an Arsenal fan,” Agbonlahor told talkSPORT. "He said to me: ‘Which Arsenal player do you think is or will become world class?’
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“The only one I could name was [William] Saliba.
“I said Odegaard and Saka are very, very good players but I wouldn't say they are two players that would be on Real Madrid’s radar, whereas Saliba, I would.”
Saliba has become indispensable to Arteta’s backline where he forms a solid centre-back pairing with Brazilian Gabriel.
Having conceded just 26 goals so far, the duo have spearheaded the Premier League’s meanest defence.
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A back injury picked up during last season’s title run-in was widely touted as the turning point in Arsenal’s title tussle with Manchester City.
The north London side went on to win just three of their following ten games as City romped to another title win.
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However, this time round Saliba is fighting fit and with Arsenal in relentless form heading into their final four games, the ex-Marseille and Saint-Etienne defender could land his first major honour in the game.
First up for Saliba and co, is the prospect of Sunday’s north London derby with more riding on the fixture than ever before.
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