Former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Emmanuel Petit believes that William Saliba could potentially match the achievements of Blues icon John Terry.
The young Frenchman has been one of the standout performers for the Gunners this season during their stunning first-half of the campaign. Having enjoyed an impressive campaign on-loan with Marseille, he has returned to the Emirates Stadium and has continued his electric form.
The 21-year-old has made 15 appearances for Arsenal so far, having only missed out on 14 minutes of Premier League action. He also already has two goals to his name in what has been a hugely impressive breakout campaign in north London.
Now, should he continue his brilliant performances, he has been backed to emulate Chelsea icon Terry by Petit, with the Frenchman having been left hugely impressed following the Gunners’ recent victory at Stamford Bridge.
Speaking with Lord Ping, he said: “William Saliba is amazing. He has all the qualities to do the same as John Terry. He's very mature, came back to Arsenal with a lot of motivation and he's improved a lot as a human being as well as a footballer.
“Saliba was a rock against Chelsea, I wouldn't like to be a striker playing against him because he's tough and his confidence is really entering his game.”
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Despite Saliba having forged himself a role in the Arsenal first-team, there could well be a decision to make over his future sooner rather than later. The former Saint-Etienne youngster is out of contract in a year-and-a-half.
However, Mikel Arteta remains optimistic about convincing Saliba to pen an extended deal in north London.
Speaking last month, he said: "I was really impressed and at the same time surprised when I spoke to him. Obviously the way the relationship started and he went on loan, and he came back, and he went again.
"If that was a bit of damage there, because obviously he had certain expectations and something happened, but again he was so committed and so focused just to play for Arsenal that I think it took all of us by a little bit of surprise. So if I look at how he talks about the club and how much he wants to be here, I have no doubts that he wants to continue to be here."
Saliba, a seven-time French international, will be aiming to top-off an outstanding first year as an Arsenal player with a call-up into Les Bleus squad for the upcoming World Cup in Qatar.
