“He was absolutely outstanding against stubborn Manchester City, he didn’t allow their players to breath with every touch he made for the whole 90 minutes”- Manchester United Legend Paul Scholes says he’s seriously impressed with sensational £29M Arsenal star man’s performance against Pep’s City

‘ABSOLUTELY OUTSTANDING’… PAUL SCHOLES SERIOUSLY IMPRESSED WITH £29M ARSENAL PLAYER V MANCHESTER CITY

The highly anticipated showdown between Manchester City and Arsenal promised to be a captivating clash between two top-tier teams, yet it unfolded as a tepid affair marked by cautious play and a lack of attacking gusto.

Prior to this encounter, Liverpool secured a hard-fought victory over Brighton and Hove Albion, rallying from an early setback to triumph 2-1 at Anfield. With their job done, attention turned to the Etihad Stadium for the marquee matchup of the day.

However, what transpired was far from the anticipated heavyweight showdown. Both City and Arsenal seemed content with a stalemate, displaying a reluctance to take risks in pursuit of a decisive goal. The match lacked the intensity and drama expected of such high-profile encounters.

The final whistle blew with the scoreboard untouched, leaving both sides with a share of the spoils. While a draw does little to bolster either team’s position, Liverpool emerges as the true victor, maintaining their two-point lead at the summit of the table.

In the aftermath, Mikel Arteta, Arsenal’s manager, may find solace in the result. A point earned and a clean sheet secured against City on their own turf is no small feat and reflects positively on his team’s defensive resilience.

Conversely, City’s performance raises concerns about their inability to replicate last season’s form, especially against top opposition. Their lackluster showing against Liverpool and Arsenal highlights a notable decline in their competitiveness.

Credit must be given to Arsenal for their defensive prowess, particularly showcased by the outstanding performance of William Saliba. The young defender has been a standout performer throughout the season and once again proved his mettle against City.

Saliba’s commanding presence in defense stifled City’s attacking threats, with Erling Haaland struggling to make an impact. Despite facing scrutiny over his absence from the French national team, Saliba’s exploits in the Premier League speak volumes about his burgeoning talent.

Praise poured in for Saliba, with football pundits lauding his performance as ‘absolutely outstanding.’ Paul Scholes singled him out as the standout player of the match, highlighting his dominance at the heart of Arsenal’s backline.

Gary Neville echoed Scholes’ sentiments, describing Saliba as a ‘giant’ on the pitch. The rarity of City being held scoreless at home further underscores Saliba’s defensive prowess and his potential to become a formidable force in the years to come.

At just 23 years old, Saliba’s future looks bright, with his stellar display against City serving as a testament to his immense talent. As he continues to hone his skills, the prospect of facing him on the field is sure to unsettle even the most prolific strikers like Haaland.