William Saliba is set to face one of the biggest matches of his career to date as he takes on Kylain Mbappe and Real Madrid.
Arsenal host Madrid in the first-leg of the Champions League quarter-finals wth the Gunners bidding to reach the last four of the competition for the first time since 2009.
However, the North London club will need to stop one of the most feared quartets in world football right now in Mbappe, Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo Goes and Jude Bellingham.
Saliba has already clashed with his French teammate Mbappe all the way back in 2021 and the defender made quite a statement with his performance against one of football’s best attackers.
What happened when William Saliba last faced Kylian Mbappe?
The last time William Saliba took on Kylian Mbappe, the then 21-year-old claimed that it was ‘the best game of my career’.
Back in 2021, Marseille held the French champions Paris Saint-Germain to a goalless draw at the Stade Velodrome, with Saliba producing a defensive masterclass.
The French international produced a particularly standout moment as he perfectly denied Mbappe the chance to win the match after he went clean through on goal.
Saliba’s performances in Ligue 1 caught the eye of Arsenal and the club’s supporters and after having to be patient for his moment in North London, the next season he was rewarded with a starting spot in Mikel Arteta’s team.
Speaking after the 0-0 with PSG and his sensational tackle on Mbappe, Saliba told reporters: “I saw he made the call, so I was like, ‘Either take the red or I take the ball!’. I tackled the ball well so there you go.
“It’s the best game of my career, playing a ‘Classique’ at the Velodrome with this atmosphere.”
What has Kylian Mbappe previously said about William Saliba
Mbappe has previously spoken very highly of Saliba, labelling him as one of ‘the best centre-backs in the Premier League’.
Speaking back in June 2024, Mbappe said: “This season, he has become a very important player for Arsenal and is among the best centre-backs in the Premier League.
“He is starting to get minutes with us. It’s now up to him to find his place. For me, he has all the qualities to, in time, be a starter with Les Bleus.”
