Adams has ‘concern’ about Arsenal star and claims Arteta’s side ‘won’t win the title’ without one player

Tony Adams has admitted that he is ‘concerned’ about Arsenal defender William Saliba heading into Wednesday night’s game against Manchester City.

The Gunners head into this midweek game three points clear of Man City in the table with a game in hand.

Arsenal dropped points over the weekend as they were held to a 1-1 draw against Brentford. Ivan Toney equalised for the Bees, though this goal should have been ruled out by VAR.

Emmanuel Petit feels that Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes should be criticised following their recent showings for Arsenal.

Adams has now suggested that Erling Haaland will be the “ultimate test” for Arsenal and Saliba. He has also claimed that his former club will not win the league without Gabriel Jesus.

‘I do have a bit of a concern about centre-back William Saliba after watching Ivan Toney giving him a going over at the weekend,’ Adams wrote for The Sun.

‘He’s a lovely footballer who is quick, tidies up well and doesn’t go to ground a lot. Back in my day, he might have been a central midfield player.

‘But the jury is still out on the Frenchman because he can get out-muscled and there is a worry whether he and Gabriel can handle Erling Haaland if the City striker is passed fit to play.

‘If Arsenal are going to win the league, then Haaland will be their ultimate test. They have also been struggling for goals lately and they really need Gabriel Jesus back as soon as possible.

‘Striker Eddie Nketiah has done brilliantly to come in and score some goals like Christopher Wreh did for us back in 1998. But we still needed Dennis Bergkamp and Nicolas Anelka to come back and get us over the line.

‘It’s the same now because Arsenal won’t win the title without their main man up front.’

Adams later suggested that Arsenal will beat Man City on Wednesday but Pep Guardiola’s side will ‘end up as champions’ even though they are ‘messing it up’.

‘At the moment it feels like Arsenal and City are both missing some of the parts needed to be champions,’ Adams added.

‘The team that corrects those issues first will go on to win it but if they don’t I can still see Manchester United coming in with a late run from behind.

‘They might be a long way back for now but they’re on a roll and there’s no pressure on them.

‘I think Arsenal will win the game tomorrow but, sadly, I still don’t see them winning the title.

‘I still believe City will end up as champions even though they’re doing their best to mess it up.

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