5 Arsenal players who will be crucial to their Premier League title challenge in 2nd half of the season

#4 William Saliba

William Saliba in action against Newcastle United in the EPL

In 2019, 18-year-old William Saliba joined the Gunners from Saint-Etienne for an estimated £27 million. The French defender was loaned out to Marseille, Nice, and Saint-Étienne to continue his development.

Saliba's loan spells helped him mature into a complete defender. He returned to the Emirates this season and has been one of the standout central defenders in the league. To make room for him in the starting line-up, Mikel Arteta had to switch Ben White to right-back.

With nine clean sheets and only 16 goals conceded, the Gunners have the second-best defensive record in the league, behind only Newcastle United.

The north London club will need their defense to be at its absolute best if they are to win the title this season. As the saying goes, a good attack wins you games and a solid defense wins you trophies.