Willian Saliba and Gabriel partnership which Arsenal fans love could be key to denying Erling Haaland and Man City

27/03/2024 14:27

Arsenal have a trick up their sleeves as they bid to exercise their Etihad demons at title rivals Manchester City this weekend.

The Gunners have a miserable record away at the defending Premier League champions and haven’t won there since January 2015.

This fixture in April 2023 proved to be the Gunners’ undoing in last season’s title race, as Mikel Arteta‘s side were thumped 4-1.

The costly defeat left City just two points behind then-leaders Arsenal with two games in hand and Pep Guardiola‘s men ultimately stormed home to glory.

However, Arsenal were missing an instrumental component last season which could be the key to stopping Erling Haaland this time.

Gabriel Magalhaes pulled out of Brazil’s squad this month, but is expected to once again partner William Saliba at the back.

Saliba’s injury absence sparked Arsenal’s downfall last term, with Rob Holding failing to impress in the Frenchman’s absence at the Etihad.

But Arteta’s first-choice centre-back pairing have been instrumental in the club’s renewed title charge this time around, with the Gabriel-Saliba axis the most consistent in the Premier League.

The defensive duo have started the joint most top-flight games together [24] in 2023-24, alongside Everton's James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite.

And when the pair are on the pitch, Arsenal barely concede.

When Gabriel and Saliba are next to each other, the Gunners have conceded just 0.76 expected goals per game – the lowest rate of any centre-back partnership in the Premier League.

The two have also kept more clean sheets (nine) and conceded the joint-fewest shots per 90 minutes (0.9) than any other combination.

One of those shutouts came against City, with Gabriel and Saliba keeping Haaland and co quiet in October’s reverse fixture.

The pair were on top form to help marshall a 1-0 victory over the Citizens – Arsenal’s first in the Premier League over them since 2015.

Declan Rice recently showered Gabriel and Saliba in praise, telling TNT Sports: “I can't speak highly enough of them, I'm not going to sit here and lie.

“I think Saliba is unbelievable, obviously heard about all the talk of him before I come here and the one who's really surprised me is actually Gabriel.

“He's so aggressive, so strong, really wants it all the time, never loses a duel.

“When you've got two centre-backs like that who want it, play aggressive, it really helps and gives you confidence.”