Martin Keown says two Arsenal players ‘earned their wages’ against Sevilla

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Arsenal held out in Seville last night to record a big Champions League win and move a step closer to qualifying for the knockouts.

Mikel Arteta’s side showed a number of sides to their game to see off the Spanish side. Goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus were enough for the Gunners in the end. There was potential bad news with an injury for Jesus, but overall, it was a good night’s work.

And speaking on TNT Sports, Martin Keown felt that two of Arsenal’s defenders deserved a special mention as well.

Martin Keown praises Saliba and Gabriel as Arsenal beat Sevilla

As we know, Keown knows a thing or two about keeping strikers out and putting everything on the line to defend the goal.

And the former Arsenal was quick to praise Gabriel and Saliba for doing just that in Spain.

“That resolve they showed, the two central defenders, they earned their wages too. They had to put everything on the line out there and were throwing their bodies in the way, so yeah, very satisfying,” Keown said.

Both Saliba and Gabriel have been outstanding all season and simply continued their fine displays last night.

Saliba is the real star for Arsenal in defence

Not to say that his partner Gabriel isn’t playing well, but William Saliba is the star of the show when it comes to Arsenal’s defence right now.

The Frenchman has looked simply brilliant ever since he returned to the club. Now, that £27m so many Arsenal fans were questioning at one point, looks an absolute steal.

For Saliba and Gabriel, the relief of seeing it out last night was there for all to see. Defending is becoming an art once again at Arsenal and as Keown points out here, bodies on the line is now a thing again.

If Arsenal are to win trophies, then Saliba and Gabriel will be vital. And based on last night’s showing, they can be so, so crucial to the Gunners getting that success.