William Saliba and the Emirates crowd – A match made in heaven

William Saliba scored an unfortunate own goal on Saturday against Leicester City, but it was the crowd’s reaction after that has everyone talking.

Signed back in 2019 to much fanfare, we have had to wait for what feels like forever to see the 21-year-old strut his stuff in an Arsenal kit, and boy, it has been worth the delay.

Aside from Gabriel Jesus, you would be hard-pressed to find a player who has impressed so much over the last couple of months than William Saliba.

The Frenchman has been a rock at the back for the Gunners and he hadn’t put a single foot wrong until Saturday.

https://twitter.com/SalibaEra_/status/1558497444081582088?s=20&t=4oZSHJQlJzBBgWroOhqpPg

His unfortunate own goal was one of those things that happens. A ball hoofed forward that was then headed into the path of Jamie Vardy, with only Saliba in the way between Leicester’s number nine and the goal; Saliba headed back to Ramsdale and past Arsenal’s number one and into the net.

If Saliba had not intervened, Vardy would have scored anyway. While it was an “oh damn” moment as it let the Foxes back into the game, what followed was nothing short of extraordinary.

Over the past decade or so, the Emirates can sometimes be volatile, like most stadiums worldwide, mainly when the home team is not performing well.

We have seen the Emirates crowd get rather vocal towards the players when a mistake is made, or a poor passage of play happens, but on Saturday, it was something out of this world.

When Saliba nodded past Ramsdale, the entire stadium began clapping and cheering for the 21-year-old, almost as if a goal had come in the other end. The crowd showed their love for the defender in a heart-warming moment, so much so that it even caught the attention of Mikel Arteta.

"“I think the crowd was special, especially after Saliba’s own goal Arteta said post-game via sportbible.com.“The way they reacted was something I’ve never seen in football; the amount of support and connection they are showing with us, and especially with William, lifted the team straight away.“I have to thank them so much for that.”"

There is certainly a new sense of optimism around the club and fanbase and Saliba’s moment on Saturday further proves it. The fans are 1000% behind the players and the manager, which is excellent viewing.

It is clear what kind of talent we have in Saliba, and after not seeing him for three seasons, he returns as one of Arsenal’s best defenders. He has been nothing short of superb since returning, and his love for the club is equalled by the fans’ passion for him.

It is a match made in heaven.