Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand, a six-time Premier League champion under Sir Alex Ferguson, has praised the current Arsenal centre-back pairing of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães, calling them the best in Europe.
Ferdinand, who formed a formidable partnership with Nemanja Vidic at Old Trafford, believes Saliba and Gabriel are reminiscent of his own successful duo. In Arsenal’s recent North London derby victory over Tottenham Hotspur, Gabriel scored the decisive goal, showcasing his defensive prowess alongside Saliba.
On his YouTube channel, Ferdinand highlighted the pair’s complementary styles, noting their impressive stats—Saliba with a 97% pass completion rate and Gabriel excelling in other defensive metrics. He compared them to iconic defensive duos like Vidic and Ferdinand, Puyol and Piqué, and Terry and Carvalho.
Ferdinand also praised the way Saliba and Gabriel share the spotlight, a crucial trait for a successful partnership. This unity and selflessness, he argues, make them a formidable force for any opponent.
Adding to Arsenal’s defensive strength, Ferdinand praised Ben White and Jurrien Timber, suggesting that with these players, Arsenal’s backline appears nearly flawless. However, the true test will come when Arsenal face Manchester City and Pep Guardiola, which will be a significant challenge for their defensive unit.
