It’s been a long time since the Premier League fans have started the debate on who is the better center back defender between Liverpool’s captain Virgil van Dijk and Arsenal’s best William Saliba.
In the last two seasons, Arsenal has been putting up a really good fight against Manchester City and Liverpool in the title race. Last year the Gunners lost the league to the Blues with only two points behind them, while having one of the best seasons since a long time.
Right behind Arsenal, Liverpool was placed in the third position on the Premier League table, spending most of the season at the top. The Reds fall started when they lost to Crystal Palace in their own stadium with a result of 1-0. After that Jurgen Klopp’s team was not able to pick up the pace again and fight for the Premier League triumph.
The success of both teams came by their main defenders like Van Dijk and Saliba. But now the fans of these rivals want to know who is a better center back comparing the stats between the players.
Virgil van Dijk has proved that he is one of the greatest Premier League defenders by winning it in 2020 when his team had an amazing run, winning the league with 99 points, 18 more than the second-place team Manchester City. His achievements don’t end here, because the Reds skipper was one of the key factors in Liverpool’s 2019 Champions League triumph.
On the other hand, since Saliba’s arrival at Arsenal from Olympic Marseille, the team had a drastic improvement and now they are fighting for the top of the league and even the Champions League.
If we compare the stats on the best pairing center-backs in the league in the last 10 seasons, Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip are at the top of the list on xG conceded per game with 0.76, and in the second place comes Saliba and Gabriel with 0.78.
So far this season, both of the defenders have had exceptional performances. In the air game, Virgil van Dijk has won 21 of 29 aerial games compared to William Saliba who won 8 from 14.
Regarding Liverpool’s captain, Arsenal’s Frenchman has said that most of the defenders are scared to face Van Dijk because of his presence or aura. Saliba feels that Virgil is the boss and commands the game really well, and now William feels that he is reaching that status more and more in each game.
