Forget Bukayo Saka, one unsung hero revived Arsenal title dream with Nottingham Forest masterclass

Arsenal produced a comprehensive performance to earn a 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest in a Premier League clash on Saturday.

Mikel Arteta’s side were comfortable throughout at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal clearly benefitted from the recent international break, as they seemed re-energised for this fixture, and got back to winning ways.

Bukayo Saka stunned Arsenal fans with his opening goal, before Thomas Partey produced a magnificent strike. Late on, Hale End academy wonderkid Ethan Nwaneri opened his Premier League account to round off the scoring.

Meanwhile, Martin Odegaard pulled the strings for the North London outfit in the middle of the park. However, despite the fluent attacking nature of this display, William Saliba’s contribution to this victory should not be overlooked.

Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

William Saliba produced a defensive masterclass for Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest

The French centre-back was magnificent against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

Saliba impressed the French media during the international break, and has returned to the Emirates Stadium in fine form.

The statistics underline the quality of his performance against Forest. According to Sofascore data, the 23-year-old scarcely put a foot wrong in the match.

William Saliba stats vs Nottingham Forest:

Clearances 3 Shots blocked 1 Tackles 2 Ground duels won 3 Aerial duels won 1 Accurate passes 96 Pass completion 98%

The defender’s importance to this Arsenal team cannot be overstated. Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes have been called the best defensive partnership in the Premier League.

MORE ARSENAL STORIES

There is an old adage in football that attack wins matches but defence wins title. If that is true, then Arsenal are well set up to go all the way in the Premier League this time around.

Understandably, Saka, Odegaard, and Nwaneri will hog the headlines after this victory, but Saliba and Co. provided the platform to make the win possible.

Who is Arsenal’s most important player?

As players and leaders, Saka, Saliba, and Odegaard are the heart of this Arsenal team. There is no other player in Arteta’s squad any more important than any of that trio.

Whilst the likes of Gabriel, Kai Havertz, Declan Rice, and David Raya, amongst others, all have a vital part to play in this team, the Gunners’ ability to become champions will be defined by whether or not Saka, Saliba, and Odegaard can remain fit and firing on all cylinders for the rest of this campaign.

Of that trio, Saliba is arguably the most vital, as he is the glue that holds the backline together.

Saliba played every minute in the Premier League last season. He must be better protected and his energy levels preserved more efficiently this time around.

Click here to read article