Alan Smith hails 'fantastic' Premier League centre-back partnership

William Saliba and Gabriel have been hailed as a fantastic partnership by Arsenal legend Alan Smith, but warns they need to win something to be talked about in the same breath as some other Gunners defensive greats. 

The pair's displays in the centre of Mikel Arteta's defence have been a key reason for the Gunners impressive campaign, where they currently sit on top of the Premier League on goal difference ahead of Liverpool. 

No team has conceded fewer goals than Arsenal this season, largely thanks to their two centre-backs. However, speaking to Instantcasino.com, Smith thinks the duo will need to lift a trophy to be considered Arsenal greats. 

“It’s a fantastic partnership,” he said.

“We eulogise about William Saliba because he’s a Rolls-Royce of a player who makes the game look easy, but Gabriel has never played better in an Arsenal shirt than at the moment.

"As a partnership, they’re up there among the best that Arsenal have ever had, but you need to win something to be mentioned in the same breath as Sol Campbell, Kolo Toure, Steve Bould and Tony Adams.
 
“They’ve certainly got the ability and they’re part of a team that could achieve amazing things – if they manage to do that then they will be mentioned in the same sentence as some of the greats. I’ve said it before, but that partnership has given the team a fantastic base to go on and do what they’ve done.”
 

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