Arsenal’s centre-back pairing of William Saliba and Gabriel is regarded as one of the best in the world, making it difficult for another player to break into the position. However, Marli Salmon is a youngster worth watching after making a strong impression alongside Gabriel against Como.
The teenager started the match and delivered a fine performance, showing that he continues to develop well while training and playing with the first team. Salmon is being tipped as one of the next academy graduates who could compete for a place in Arsenal’s senior squad, and he appears determined to make that opportunity count.
Salmon Impresses Against Como
Salmon has already shown signs that he can compete at a higher level, having featured for the Gunners in different matches over recent months. His progress suggests he is becoming increasingly comfortable around the first team and could be ready for a greater role.
Most of his appearances last season came from the bench, but his performance against Como provided further evidence that he could be ready to start competitive matches for Arsenal this term. According to the Daily Mail, the defender showed in that game that he may now be prepared to take another step forward.
Arsenal Could Trust Young Defender
Salmon’s development could be particularly important as Arsenal consider whether they need to sign another defender to provide cover for Saliba. The Gunners want to maintain quality and depth in the position, but the teenager could potentially fill that role if he continues to progress.
His performance alongside Gabriel will give the club another reason to monitor his development closely. Although breaking into the starting role remains difficult with Saliba and Gabriel ahead of him, Salmon has demonstrated that he can handle opportunities when they come his way.
The defender will now hope to build on his performance against Como and continue earning opportunities with the first team. If he maintains his current progress, he could become an increasingly useful option for Arsenal as the season develops.
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Arteta should have given him more appearances last year than what he did. A few minutes in the last game which result didn’t matter would have given the kid a league winners medal. Instead he only had 9 appearances instead of 10 which you need for a medal.
Marli looks a classy central defender, not yet fully developed physically for that position, but give it a couple of years, and he should be a regular starter/Saliba backup.
Tony Adams was only 17 when he made the big breakthrough.
Spot on Jax, he’s definitely a 16 years old baller with silky feet. He looked like a combination of Saliba and van Dijk with better technique.
Didrik
Did you notice how competently he moved to the left side when Gabriel was subbed off? Arteea could have put Mosquera in that spot, but trusted Marli.
Indeed, he’s a clever young man. I have seen many young ballers, but he seems to have everything already. I think he’s a massive talent.
He is super talented and appears to have a high footballing IQ as well. I think he could play a part from time to time depending on the importance of the games and/or the ‘needs must’ situation. However, it is one thing to be 17 year old winger, it’s another to be a lynchpin in defense at 17. I think we will get another CB and come January, White will leave when Saliba is back.
Yes, calm and composed and very good on the ball. The way he plays telling me he’s a smart young man.
I think we should protect him and maybe let him play some cup matches. Premier League is a tough competition and I think it’s too early to play him in there.
Barcelona started to play Pau Cubarsi with their first team when he was almost 17. Pau Cubarsi Is now among the best young centre backs in the world at 19 years. He started every match for Spain during the World Cup.
Cubarsí is honestly incredible though. It’s so rare to have a 16-17 year old teenager who is capable of smoothly slotting into a league-winning defense (not to mention a World Cup winning national team!). A rotational winger, maybe. But a Premier League defense requires a LOT. In La Liga there are at least usually some slightly easier games. Close to zero for a defender in the Premier League today.
In 3 years, Marli will be 19, and much more mentally and physically prepared for that kind of attention. THREE YEARS! In the meantime, we should see how it goes. Give him minutes, maybe a few starts in cup games. A year from now he will still only be 17.
He will be 17 on August 29th.
I agree with you. Arsenal has been doing a great job with their academy. I think Marli must be an amazing talent, so calm and relaxed when our opponents tried to stress him. He made the right decision almost every time. He looked like he had been playing on this level for many years.
Yes, yes and YES!
We should sign a CB, and move him on loan with a long contract, so he can get minutes. League 1 will be good
The fact that he looked comfortable on the right and left is a huge bonus as there seems to be a current obsession concerning the need to pair a right footer with a left footer.Historically, the great centre back partnerships of the past invariably consisted of right footers the only exception being possibly the best pair I have seen, namely Nesta and Maldini.To my knowledge there has never been a top class combination of two left footed players.Salmon is a very promising young CB who i feel has the edge on young Heaven who i think will do well with Man Utd. this season.
Early stages of his career, but looks promising. I just hope that he doesn’t get overhyped to early. Let him develop is what I say.
I don’t understand the call ‘send him on loan’ as soon as it’s perceived he’s had a good game, he’s looked like a young Saliba whenever he’s played and should start alongside Gabriel in my opinion.
Because how you play in pre season is little evidence your ready for start in the Prem
Start him till Saliba is back and you don’t win the Prem
A loan would be a logical step in his development
We don’t know about his education. He is still young and it may be unsettling for a young man doing his A levels or what ever they do nowadays. His education comes first over any football.
A little young but maybe in the Carribou cup, against a lower grade team?