William Gallas names the Liverpool star he would ‘pick’ to play for Arsenal

William Gallas has named Trent Alexander-Arnold as the Liverpool player he would ‘pick’ to play for his former club Arsenal.

Alexander-Arnold has developed into one of the best right-backs in the world since breaking into the Liverpool first-team in 2017.

The 26-year-old, who has entered the final 12 months of his contract at Anfield and is being heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid, is renowned for his incredible passing and his ability on set-pieces.

Gallas believes current Arsenal right-back Ben White is ‘maybe better defensively’ but admits he would swap the dependable star for Alexander-Arnold.

‘I would pick Trent Alexander-Arnold and put him in the Arsenal team,’ Gallas, who spent four seasons at the Emirates Stadium, told Prime Casino.

‘Ben White is maybe better than Alexander-Arnold defensively, because Ben White is a centre-back, so defending for him is natural.

‘Offensively, Alexander-Arnold can give you so much. He creates goals, his passing is superb, and he can take really good set pieces.’

Alexander-Arnold has helped new Liverpool boss Arne Slot made a sensational start to his Anfield tenure.

The Reds have won seven of their opening eight league games to shoot to the top of the Premier League and have nine points from a possible nine in the Champions League.

Arsenal boasted the best defensive record in the Premier League last season but Gallas believes Liverpool’s looks ‘more solid at the moment’.

‘Liverpool look more solid at the moment, I would say,’ he added. ‘Maybe it’s from the manager.

‘Last season, they were not too bad, but from the start of this season, Liverpool look strong.

‘Alexander-Arnold makes fewer mistakes right now. Konate looks superb. We will have to see if they can keep things this tight throughout the season.

‘When you play so many games, you start to get tired and that’s when mistakes happen that can cost you some goals.

‘We will see if Liverpool’s defence can remain as consistent as they have done after eight games for another thirty. At this moment in time, their defence looks better than Arsenal’s.’

Premier League title rivals Liverpool and Arsenal go head-to-head at the Emirates on Sunday in a mouth-watering encounter.

Mikel Arteta may have to cope without several key stars for the visit of Liverpool – with Bukayo Saka still an injury doubt and William Saliba suspended – but Gallas says they ‘have to win’ to keep their title hopes alive.

Like Liverpool, the Gunners also enjoyed a promising start to the season but saw their unbeaten record ended by Bournemouth last weekend.

‘They lost against Bournemouth so now they have to win,’ the ex-France defender said.

‘They don’t have a choice. If they got the three points against Bournemouth and they got a draw against Liverpool, it wouldn’t be a problem because they didn’t lose against one of their rivals.

‘After what they did against Bournemouth, they must win. One point won’t be enough. One point will be good for Liverpool but not for Arsenal.

‘Arsenal have put themselves in trouble with the loss against Bournemouth. They must respond quickly.

‘I don’t know what to say for this weekend because Saliba is out, and Liverpool look strong. They have got that confidence.

‘Salah is almost back to his absolute best, so it’s going to be a good game, but it will be a difficult game for Arsenal.

‘Liverpool, they will come to the Emirates full of energy. You have to be realistic, and that’s why I’m saying that Liverpool are the slight favourites here.’

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