‘The pillars’ – Real Madrid star admits Arsenal duo in his position have blown him away as he makes top 3 claim | OneFootball

Real Madrid centre-back Antonio Rudiger has showered praise on his Arsenal counterparts Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba, insisting they are in the top-three of best centre-backs on the planet right now.

The Gunners are challenging for the Premier League title again this season after finishing behind Manchester City in each of the last two seasons, and their centre-back pairing have been key to their impressive performances at the back.

Arsenal conceded the least goals in the Premier League last season, and Frank Lampard has also compared Gabriel and Saliba with Chelsea legends John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho.

Rudiger has been blown away with their partnership, crediting them for the transformation the North London club have undergone on the pitch in the last two campaigns.

“I would go, William Saliba, Virgil van Dijk and Gabriel Magalhaes from Arsenal as well,” the Madrid star said on The Inside Scoop when asked who he thinks are the best three centre-backs right now excluding him.

“If you see Arsenal, the two centre backs playing together, for two years now they’re doing an amazing job.

“The transformation from Arsenal that was a bit before and now – those two are the pillars of it.

“You have Gabriel the aggressive leader, and Saliba – this brother plays clean! You have to give it to him, he looks like a silent leader.”

Rudiger is spot on, and the defensive duo have been solid for Arsenal over the last two campaigns.

The Gunners have further strengthened their defence with the additions of Spanish goalkeeper David Raya and Italian full-back Riccardo Calafiori, while Dutch defender Jurrien Timber is back from the injury that ruled him out of the majority of last season.

Arsenal will look to go one better this term, and both Saliba and Gabriel would be crucial to their title triumph if they manage to win the Premier League for the first time since 2004 come May 2025.