Who is William Saliba? William Saliba is a name that resonates with football fans worldwide. Born on March 24, 2001, in Bondy, France, Saliba has quickly risen to prominence as one of the best center-backs in the world. Starting his football journey at just six years old, he was coached by Kylian Mbappé's father, which set the stage for his future success. His career took off at Saint-Étienne, leading to a significant move to Arsenal in 2019. Known for his towering height of 6 feet 4 inches and exceptional defensive skills, Saliba has become a cornerstone for both his club and the French national team.
Key Takeaways:
- William Saliba's journey from early training with Kylian Mbappé's father to becoming a key player for Arsenal showcases the importance of dedication and resilience in achieving success in sports.
- Saliba's impressive defensive skills, international contributions, and resilience through injuries highlight his potential to become one of the best centre-backs in the world.
Early Life and Beginnings
William Saliba's journey to becoming one of the best centre-backs in the world started early. His formative years were crucial in shaping his football career.
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Early Life and Training: Saliba began playing football at six, coached by Kylian Mbappé's father. This early exposure to high-level training set the stage for his future success.
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Move to Saint-Étienne: In 2016, Saliba moved to Saint-Étienne, signing his first contract at 17 in May 2018. This marked the beginning of his professional career.
Professional Debut and Early Career
Saliba's early professional years were filled with significant milestones and learning experiences that helped him grow as a player.
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Professional Debut: He made his professional debut on September 25, 2018, in a 3–2 Ligue 1 win over Toulouse, making 13 starting appearances in his first season.
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Loan to Saint-Étienne: During the 2019–20 season, Saliba returned to Saint-Étienne on loan, playing 17 games and helping the club reach the 2020 Coupe de France Final.
Transfer to Arsenal
Saliba's move to Arsenal was a significant step in his career, bringing new challenges and opportunities.
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Transfer to Arsenal: On July 25, 2019, Arsenal announced Saliba's signing for £27 million on a long-term contract, beating rivals Tottenham Hotspur to his signature.
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Loan to Saint-Étienne (Again): After the transfer, he spent the 2019–20 season on loan at Saint-Étienne, returning to Arsenal in July 2020.
Challenges and Growth
Saliba faced several challenges during his initial time at Arsenal, which were crucial for his development.
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FA Community Shield Appearance: Though an unused substitute, Saliba was part of the squad that won the 2020 FA Community Shield against Liverpool.
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Exclusion from Competitive Squads: For the 2020–21 season, Saliba was left out of Arsenal's competitive squads, a decision later regretted by manager Mikel Arteta.
Loan to Marseille
A loan spell at Marseille proved to be a turning point in Saliba's career, showcasing his talent on a bigger stage.
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Loan to Marseille: In July 2021, Saliba joined Olympique de Marseille on loan, making his competitive debut on August 8, 2021, in a 3–2 win against Montpellier.
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Awards and Recognition: Saliba was named Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year and earned a spot in the Team of the Year during his loan spell at Marseille.
Return to Arsenal and Breakthrough
Saliba's return to Arsenal marked the beginning of his rise as a key player for the club.
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Return to Arsenal: Ahead of the 2022–23 season, Saliba was given the number 12 shirt, making his Premier League debut on August 5, 2022, in a 2–0 win against Crystal Palace.
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First Goal for Arsenal: Two weeks after his debut, Saliba scored his first goal for Arsenal in a win over AFC Bournemouth, which was voted as the club’s Goal of the Month for August.
Injury and Resilience
Injuries are part of a footballer's life, and Saliba's resilience in the face of setbacks has been commendable.
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Injury and Season-Ending Absence: On March 16, 2023, Saliba picked up a back injury, ruling him out for the rest of the season, impacting Arsenal's defensive performance.
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New Contract: On July 7, 2023, Saliba signed a new long-term deal with Arsenal until 2028, receiving the number 2 shirt.
Premier League Record and Achievements
Saliba's performances in the Premier League have been nothing short of impressive, setting records and earning accolades.
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Premier League Record: As of the 2023–24 season, Saliba became the first Arsenal outfield player to play every minute (3,420) of a season in the Premier League era.
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Red Card Controversy: On October 19, 2024, Saliba received his first red card in a professional match, a controversial decision during a game against Bournemouth.
Physical Attributes and Nationality
Saliba's physical presence and national pride have been key aspects of his identity as a footballer.
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Height and Weight: Standing at 6 feet 4 inches (192 cm) and weighing 203 pounds (92 kg), Saliba's physical stature makes him a formidable defender.
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Nationality: A proud French national, Saliba represents his country with skill and dedication.
International Career
Saliba's contributions to the French national team have been significant, showcasing his talent on the international stage.
- International Career: Saliba has been a key player for France, featuring in the 2022 World Cup and the Euro 2024 campaign, earning a spot in the UEFA Team of the Tournament.
Club Statistics and Performance
Saliba's club statistics highlight his defensive prowess and contributions to Arsenal's success.
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Club Statistics: In the Premier League, Saliba has made 72 appearances, scoring 4 goals, contributing to 32 clean sheets, and conceding 60 goals.
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Team Play: Beyond defense, Saliba has made 2 assists, completed 5,118 passes with a 71.08% accuracy, created 1 big chance, and made 4 crosses.
Discipline and Goalscoring
Saliba's discipline on the pitch and occasional goalscoring ability add to his overall profile as a player.
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Discipline: Despite his aggressive play, Saliba has received 10 yellow cards but no red cards in his Premier League career, committing 49 fouls.
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Goalscoring Ability: Saliba has scored 4 goals in the Premier League, with 3 being headed goals and one with his left foot.
Defensive Skills and Recoveries
Saliba's defensive skills and ability to recover the ball have been crucial for Arsenal's defensive solidity.
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Hit Woodwork: Saliba has not hit the woodwork in any of his Premier League appearances, showing his precision in front of goal.
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Own Goals and Errors: He has committed one own goal and one error leading to a goal, highlighting his overall defensive prowess with occasional mistakes.
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Aerial Battles: Saliba has won 136 aerial battles and lost 101, with a 57% success rate in aerial duels.
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Duels Won and Lost: He has won 286 duels and lost 185, with a 60% success rate in winning the ball back from opponents.
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Recoveries: Saliba has made 432 recoveries, showcasing his high work rate and ability to win the ball back in defensive situations.
Clearances and Career Milestones
Saliba's ability to clear the ball effectively and his career milestones highlight his importance to Arsenal's defense.
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Clearances and Headed Clearances: He has made 183 clearances and 104 headed clearances, crucial for maintaining Arsenal’s defensive solidity.
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Career Milestones: Saliba became the first Arsenal outfield player since Lee Dixon in 1989/90 to play every minute of a league season, marking his dedication and consistency.
Saliba's Remarkable Journey
William Saliba's rise in football is nothing short of impressive. From his early days in Bondy, coached by Kylian Mbappé's dad, to becoming a key player for Arsenal and the French national team, his journey is filled with dedication and hard work. His time at Saint-Étienne, multiple loan spells, and eventual return to Arsenal highlight his resilience. Winning awards like Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year and making the UEFA Team of the Tournament showcase his talent. Despite setbacks like injuries and controversial red cards, Saliba's commitment remains unwavering. His stats, including playing every minute of a Premier League season, underline his consistency. With a new contract until 2028, the future looks bright for this young defender. Saliba's story is a testament to perseverance and skill, making him a player to watch in the coming years.
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