Ex-Arsenal Defender: Manuel Akanji Is Ahead Of William Saliba At The Moment

By The Editor
on 21st November 2024

Phillipe Senderos sides with his compatriot…

Former Arsenal defender Phillipe Senderos believes Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji is better than William Saliba “at the moment”, he told talkSPORT.

Senderos featured in the popular online game of ‘Winner Stays On’ where guests are asked to name the better player, with the chosen player constantly pitted against a new foe.

Senderos is evidently a fan of his compatriot Akanji and when talkSPORT brought up Arsenal star Saliba, the 39-year-old believes the former Dortmund man is the superior defender.

Akanji produced a stunning season during his first year in England, becoming a staple in Pep Guardiola’s side as they secured a historic treble.

While he may not have the medals to show for it, Saliba has been the superior defender out of the pair and at the tender age of 23, the Frenchman will grow into a generational great.

For Senderos, he feels experience is in Akanji’s favour and gives him the edge.

“I love Saliba, I think he’s gone on to become a very good player in the Premier League,” the former Everton man said.

“I think his loan away from the Emirates has been very beneficial for him. To learn under pressure in big games away from here has been a great learning curve for him.

“I think Akanji, at the moment, is doing very well for City and I will take Akanji. But I love what Saliba and Gabriel are doing.”

While Senderos is a very eloquent guy who speaks various languages, I wouldn’t necessarily trust his eye when determining what makes a good defender.

To be fair to him, he did admit that he was slightly biased given his nationality.

As far as Saliba is concerned, he’s aware that in the modern game, you’re only as good as the state of your trophy cabinet. Winners medals win debates for you.

It’s time for him and Arsenal to fill that cabinet.