‘I’m really surprised’… Martin Keown left shocked after what he’s heard about William Saliba recently

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Martin Keown has now revealed his shock at the recent criticism Arsenal defender William Saliba has received from some of his compatriots.

Keown was speaking on TNT Sports prior to Arsenal’s win over Sevilla last night, and simply couldn’t understand Marcel Desailly’s criticism.

Desailly said Saliba was ‘not extraordinary’ and suggested that he had been slightly overhyped.

And Keown simply couldn’t disagree anymore.

The former Arsenal defender thought Saliba had everything his game, and said he loved having the 22-year-old at the club.

Keown said: “Well William Gallas has said something similar and I really can’t understand that because [Marcel] Desailly, with respect, of course he was an outstanding central defender.

“But I think Saliba has got a complete skillset, right now he’s probably one of the best defenders in Europe.

“He has everything you need, his pace is phenomenal, his power, and reads the situation really well.

He continued: “I’m really surprised by that comment, we love having him here at Arsenal because he’s the complete player.”

Keown is baffled by criticism of Arsenal’s William Saliba

Of course, Saliba did show his usual control and power against Sevilla in the Champions League last night.

The only justification to the comments he’s been receiving in France is the slight disparity between his levels for club and country.

Whilst Saliba has always been flawless for Arsenal, and is one of the best at the club, he has had some more challenging moments for France.

And although it would seem a given for any Arsenal fan, Saliba doesn’t seem to be in Didier Deschamps’ strongest side right now.

Therefore the likes of Gallas and Desailly might be similarly surprised that their Saliba comments have received so much backlash from Keown and those associated with Arsenal.

Nonetheless, Saliba himself will just be focusing on his football, and he will undoubtedly be key to anything Arsenal and Mikel Arteta achieve this year.

Although the likes of Gabriel Magalhaes have been rotated at times, Saliba is immovable in Arteta’s back line – a 22-year-old he already relies upon.

And Rio Ferdinand is one of many pundits that have been celebrating just how good the French defender has been of late.