3 positives from Arsenal’s Florida Cup demolition of Chelsea

2. The back four is frighteningly good

Arsenal’s defence has rarely been stern since the likes of Tony Adams, Martin Keown, and Sol Campbell hung up their boots. Often labelled “soft” and liable to crumbling when things get tough.  Well, after this preseason, that can’t be said anymore.

The back four of Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel, and Oleksandr Zinchenko against Chelsea were barely out of second gear. Yes, you can point to it being pre-season, but this is the time when cohesion and good playing/training habits are made.

Young Saliba was as assured as anything on Saturday night. Many pointed out that the Frenchman’s form before the Chelsea game was false as he hadn’t come up against anyone of known quality (Dominic Calvert-Lewin is a decent forward).

He quietened any doubters after this display, that’s for sure.

White was serviceable at right back; Gabriel was his usual industrious self as he kept things neat while developing a great understanding with Saliba. Zinchenko showed what he could do for the team in his 45-minute cameo.

Chelsea did not have kids playing either. Timo Werner, Raheem Sterling, Kai Havertz, and Mason Mount all started, and the Gunners’ back four rendered them essentially useless.

It’s only pre-season, and the real test will come against Crystal Palace in less than two weeks, but it is hard not to get bullish about this Arsenal backline.

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