Liverpool forward Diogo Jota has named an Arsenal player among the toughest defenders he has encountered in his professional career.
Despite having a strong record against Arsenal, Jota acknowledged that facing one of their standout defenders is a challenge. Since joining Liverpool from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2020, Jota has scored eight goals against Arsenal, with Leicester City being the only club he has netted more goals against.
In a recent interview on ESPN’s Ball Knowledge, Jota revealed that William Saliba is one of the most difficult defenders he’s faced. When asked to name his top three toughest opponents, Jota mentioned Saliba, Antonio Rudiger of Real Madrid, and former Chelsea captain Thiago Silva.
He explained, “I’ll go Rudiger, Saliba maybe, and Thiago Silva. Thiago Silva is very smart, Saliba is just a mix of smart and powerful, and Rudiger is very aggressive.”
Saliba, the only Premier League defender on the list, has been a standout performer for Arsenal since his return from loan spells. The French defender is widely regarded as one of the best in the league.
As Liverpool and Arsenal compete for top honors this season, Jota and Saliba are likely to face off again, continuing their intriguing duel between a clinical forward and a dominant defender.
