Saliba the toast of the Gunners
Fans’ favourite is showing class after biding his time
BY half-time on the south coast, the soundtrack to this Saturday evening had been on loop for around 10 minutes. Arsenal were 2-0 up and in cruise control; Gabriel Jesus had led another attacking display of grit and guile; captain Martin Odegaard had netted twice to put Mikel Arteta’s side on course for the Premier League summit.
And yet, booming from the away end without pause? An ode to William Saliba.
It is a new addition to the Arsenal jukebox. A catchy one, too. Not much poetry to it — certainly no mention of souls or totem poles. Just the Gunners’ take on an old classic: Tequila has become Saliba.
On and on it went, the volume turned up another notch after the defender made it 3-0 with a splendid left-footed curler. Even after the final whistle, the party continued.
‘The boys were singing it in the dressing room,’ Arteta revealed. ‘It’s a good song!’
Originally performed by The Champs. Arsenal probably won’t be nicking that mantle, too. Not any time soon, anyway. But you can’t begrudge their supporters enjoying days like these.
This time last year, their team were bottom of the table — without a point or a goal. Now they are three wins from three. Top for the first time — beyond the opening week — since Arsene Wenger left. Moving through the gears thanks to new signings such as Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko.
‘We have improved so much,’ Odegaard said. ‘It’s a bit strange to think it’s only one year ago.’
Saliba’s impact has been no less significant. Just rather less immediate. It took three years — and three loan spells back in France — before his Arsenal debut arrived.
He signed in 2019, a teenager worth £27million. He returned this summer as a senior France international. And still many wondered whether Saliba would ever play a competitive game for this club.
By the time he did, expectations had boiled over. No matter. The 21-year- old has eased into the heart of the back four with poise and composure and character.
He has forged an instant partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes, pushing £50million signing Ben White to right back. There will be those who join the dots and see some grand masterplan. They would be wrong but, right now, who cares?
‘Oh my gosh, this guy is incredible, honestly he’s unbelievable!’ Zinchenko said. ‘I hope he can keep going like that. It looks like he has unbelievable experience behind him.’ A few minutes before, Zinchenko had sunk to his knees and put his hands to his head. It captured the disbelief that swept around the Vitality Stadium nine minutes after half-time, when Saliba curled home his first Arsenal goal from the edge of the box.
‘I’ve never seen him do that before,’ Odegaard laughed. ‘A great strike, a great goal. I’m really happy for him. He’s performing really well.’
It was the cherry on top of another masterful performance. Saliba barely allowed Kieffer Moore a sniff of goal.
In the first half, Bournemouth were not afforded a shot or a touch in the Arsenal box. Only once before has an away team managed that in the Premier League. Not since records began, in 2003- 04, has an Arsenal defender made as many passes with 100 per cent success as Saliba here — 76. ‘And a clean sheet. That’s the most important thing,’ his boss Arteta said.
From three Premier League appearances, the Frenchman now has two — as many as Arsenal kept in their last 16 games of last season.
There has been a blip, of course. In the victory over Leicester last week, Saliba headed the ball past Aaron Ramsdale into his own net. Arteta had spoken about ‘paying a bill’ when you blood such young players. ‘At some stage they’re going to make mistakes,’ he said.
But the Emirates crowd rallied round Saliba after that unfortunate error — ‘Something I’ve never seen in my career,’ Arteta added. ‘That was special’ — and they serenaded him here during another dominant display.
‘He was a bit unlucky in the last game,’ Odegaard said. ‘To come back now and score in the right end, it’s nice. I’m really happy for him.’
Saliba allowed himself a smile at full-time, too, as he wandered towards the visiting supporters who were still belting out their new favourite song. About their new favourite player. BOURNEMOUTH (3-4-3): Travers 7.5; Mepham 5, Senesi 5 (Anthony 46min, 6.5), Kelly 6; Smith 5, Lerma 5.5, Billing 6 (Christie 65, 6), Zemura 5.5; Tavernier 6.5, Moore 6, Pearson 5 (Cook 45, 6).
Booked: Zemura, Smith.
Manager: Scott Parker 5.5.
ARSENAL (4-3-3): Ramsdale 6.5; White 7.5 (Tomiyasu 75, 6), Saliba 8, Gabriel 7.5, Zinchenko 8; Odegaard 8 (Smith Rowe 74, 6.5), Partey 6.5, Xhaka 7 (Lokonga 88); Saka 6.5 (Tierney 88), JESUS 8.5,
Martinelli 8 (Nketiah 74, 6.5).
Booked: Jesus.
Manager: Mikel Arteta 7.5.
Referee: Craig Pawson 7.
Attendance: 10,423.