Tensions are boiling over at Arsenal following a frustrating 0-0 draw against Everton, with star defender William Saliba publicly expressing his anger at a teammateโs lackluster performance.
The French international, who has been a rock at the back for the Gunners, did not hold back in his post-match interview, accusing the unnamed player of being outclassed by an Everton player who joined for free.
In a fiery statement, Saliba said:
โHow can an Everton player who cost ยฃ0 dominate someone earning ยฃ180k per week? This is unacceptableโIโm sick of it!โ
The draw marked another missed opportunity for Arsenal to close the gap on Premier League leaders, leaving fans and players alike frustrated with the teamโs inconsistency.
Despite dominating possession, Arsenal failed to capitalize, with glaring errors from one of their most expensive stars leaving Saliba visibly furious on the pitch.
Social media exploded after Salibaโs comments, with Arsenal fans echoing his frustration.
One fan wrote, โSaliba is spot on! This guy is stealing a living at our club!โ Another added, โWeโre tired of seeing these overpaid players deliver nothing. Saliba is the only one speaking the truth.โ
The Emirates crowd made their feelings known as well, booing the underperforming player when he was substituted late in the game.
One supporter outside the stadium remarked, โWe pay good money to watch these players give their all, and today, some of them just didnโt show up. Salibaโs comments prove he cares about this club.โ
The result has sparked concerns about Arsenalโs ability to mount a serious title challenge this season.
Manager Mikel Arteta, who has been praised for turning the Gunners into contenders, now faces the difficult task of addressing the growing dissatisfaction within the squad.
Pundits are already weighing in, with one stating, โSalibaโs outburst highlights a deeper issue at Arsenalโa lack of accountability among some players.โ
Despite the disappointing result, Saliba has received widespread praise for stepping up as a vocal leader within the team.
Many see his comments as a sign of his commitment to the clubโs success, even if it means calling out teammates who fail to meet expectations.
Meanwhile, Evertonโs spirited performance earned plaudits, with their no-cost player proving instrumental in shutting down Arsenalโs attack.
The contrast between his work rate and Arsenalโs struggling star only added fuel to Salibaโs frustration.
As Arsenal prepare for their next game, all eyes will be on how Arteta handles this situation.
Will he back Salibaโs tough stance or look to protect his underperforming star? The tension in the dressing room could either spark a revival or lead to further cracks in Arsenalโs title bid.