French centre half William Saliba is Arsenal's answer to Virgil van Dijk this season.

That is according to David O'Leary, the former Gunners player and Aston Villa head coach.

Club legend O'Leary is always keeping an eye on his old team and is impressed by what he has seen from Saliba.

He stated, per The Mirror: “Saliba is like Van Dijk when Van Dijk came to Liverpool. To me he will only get better - he is a Rolls Royce.

“I think him and Gabriel are a partnership that is consistently as good as anybody in the Premier League. And what has brought them further on this year is the great Declan Rice sitting in front of them who has been awesome.

“That three there have been absolutely phenomenal. They are the backbone really. For the push now until the end of the season, it is vitally important that you don't lose these three."