William Saliba has warned Manchester City that Arsenal will go to ‘war’ for the Premier League crown next term. Pep Guardiola beat Mikel Arteta to the title on the final weekend of the season, orchestrating a 3-1 win over West Ham at the Etihad Stadium.
Despite the Gunners’ best efforts, falling two points short of the mark, Manchester City defended their title as English champions for a fourth successive campaign. In an interview with French publication L’Équipe ahead of Euro 2024 this summer, Saliba claimed Arsenal will brush themselves down and go again.
“We played against them three times [last season] and we made them struggle,” said the France international. “They feel and we feel that we are close to them. Next year, we will have an even better war.”
Having played a key role for Arsenal in back-to-back title races, Saliba believes he’s one of the best defenders in the Premier League. The 23-year-old added: “I think I am in the top three [defenders in the league]. We finished with the best defence.
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“I watch a lot of matches. I am a very humble person but last season, just like this season, I am in the top three defenders. I need to continue to work to go even higher […] in terms of concentration.
“I am a lot better. Before, I could play a top match but in one phase of play, I slept a bit. That is no longer the case. I am always on alert.”
Speaking to talkSPORT in May, just days after winning the Premier League, Jack Grealish was asked if Manchester City are favourites to win a fifth successive title. The former Aston Villa winger attributed the club’s success to Guardiola.
“We probably are at the moment, especially with the players that we have and the main thing – the manager,” said Grealish. “But listen, there are so many top teams in my opinion. It’ll be difficult but fingers crossed.”
He added: “Listen, as soon as I left Villa, which is one of the toughest decisions I ever had to make, I wanted to win stuff. I come here and fortunately we’ve won a lot. The Premier League was the main one I wanted to win, being from England and growing up here, it was just the one trophy I wanted to win.
“To win three in a row is just unbelievable. I’ll be honest when I signed here I didn’t think I was gonna win three in a row, but it has been unbelievable. I don’t take any of it for granted and hopefully there is more to come.”
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Manchester City wrapped up the 2023/24 season with a fourth successive Premier League title, but they missed out on another Treble with defeat in the FA Cup final and Champions League quarter-finals. It’s now time for Pep Guardiola and co to turn their attention to the transfer window.
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