ARSENAL fans have put their rivalries aside to heap love onto former Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger.
Rudiger, now plying his trade at Real Madrid, gushed about two Gunners’ stars – instantly winning over the Arsenal fans in the process.
German international Rudiger was on the Inside Scoop podcast when he was discussing which centre-backs he feels are at the top of the game at the moment.
The 31-year-old, who plays at centre-half himself, looked straight to Arsenal’s imperious duo of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes.
He said: “Saliba and I like Gabriel from Arsenal as well. If you see Arsenal and the two centre-backs playing together.
“For two years now they are doing an amazing job. The transformation from Arsenal before and now.
“Those two are the pillar of it. You have Gabriel as the more aggressive leader and Saliba, this brother plays clean.
“You have to give it to him he looks like a silent leader”.
Arsenal fans were elated to discover that one of Europe’s best defenders rates their centre-back duo so highly, taking to social media to react.
One wrote: “From a Top five defender, elite must recognise elite”.
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While another added: “Others see dark arts, Rudiger sees a leader and a clean man”.
A third commented: “Class recognised class”.
And a fourth joked: “Always loved Rudiger”.
Arsenal’s centre-back pairing have been sensational in recent seasons with the pair at the heart of Mikel Arteta‘s side’s defensive stability.
William Saliba earned a spot in the PFA Team of the Year last season and has been nominated for the 2024 Ballon d’Or.
While Gabriel hasn’t just been a wall at the back, but has also scored more Premier League goals (16) than any other centre-back since his arrival in England‘s top flight in 2020.
