Micah Richards has now been paying a huge compliment to Arsenal centre-back William Saliba on the back of another imperious display.
Richards was speaking on the ‘The Rest Is Football’ podcast alongside Gary Lineker and two were in awe of the defender’s progress.
And Richards ended up sharing his belief that William Saliba can go on to become the best in the world at Arsenal.
Speaking on the podcast, Richards said: “I’d like to start with Saliba first. He is just getting better, and better.”
“To think he wasn’t in the plans a couple of years ago. Went on loan, went about his business, come back into the team.
“He’s so assured on the ball, his positioning is getting better, he is so strong, so fast. Leads by example. He is just great. He is like a young Rio Ferdinand. That’s what I would say.
“He has all the capabilities to be the very best in the world.
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“Van Dijk had that for a while, Ruben Dias as well over the last couple of seasons has been magnificent, and then Saliba is the one who could really challenge for that number one spot if he continues to improve and do the right things and play in a competitive team which Arsenal are, I think he is going right to the very top.”
Micah Richards is convinced William Saliba can come world’s best at Arsenal
Of course, Saliba is now enjoying playing in a seriously imposing Arsenal spine these days.
Much criticised for their robustness in the past, Mikel Arteta has built a foundation capable of beating any side in the world.
Sitting alongside Gabriel Magalhaes just behind Declan Rice, the trio often look like they could play for hours without conceding.
And since playing regularly for Arsenal, Saliba has become so crucial, a player who is still only 22-years-old.
The £27m that Arsenal paid for the defender now looks an absolute steal.
And speaking of bargains, Ian Wright is now convinced that Arsenal got one of the deals of the century this summer.
It’s all boding very well for The Gunners, a team who many believe still haven’t fully clicked.
And Richards won’t be alone in thinking that Saliba can be a generational talent at Arsenal, one capable of inspiring a title win.