Rio Ferdinand has told Arsenal fans to stop ‘salivating’ over William Saliba and named four Premier League defenders who were better than the 21-year-old at his age.

Saliba played a defining role in Arsenal’s early success in the 2022-2023 Premier League campaign. He helped the Gunners secure five successive victories and a place at the top of the table.

However, Saliba was caught off-guard by Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford during Arsenal’s 3-1 loss at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.

Rashford’s movement proved to be too much for the 21-year-old defender – who was caught on the counter for United’s second and third goals.

Nevertheless, Arsenal fans have been raving about Saliba’s performances this season and likened his composure on the ball to that of Ferdinand.

However, Ferdinand has played down claims they are similar and scrutinised the Arsenal youngster by claiming four of his former international team-mates were better at 21 years old.

Speaking on his YouTube channel Vibe with FIVE, Ferdinand said: ‘Jonathan Woodgate, Sol Campbell, John Terry, trust me. Woodgate 100 per cent without any hesitation.

‘Wes Brown at 21. He was winning Champions Leagues. He was in the treble winning team, he played games in that team’.

Ferdinand went on to discuss Saliba’s performance against Manchester United on Sunday afternoon.

The former Red Devil said: ‘He [Saliba] failed the Rashford test. You don’t need to put this pressure on Saliba, he’s just five games in just let him play.

‘You’re salivating over Saliba but he’s probably in the changing room thinking I’ve got my DNA on two, maybe three, of the goals in some way shape or form.

‘Some people might say three, I’m saying two. His fingerprints are on two of the goals and he’s sitting there with 0 points from the game.

‘He’s playing offside. The manager’s not told him to do that. They didn’t play offside at any other time in that game.

‘He’s on the halfway line thinking he’s last man and steps up over the halfway line to play offside when Ben White’s playing him onside.’

Nevertheless, Ferdinand does say Saliba could become a ‘really, really good player’ in the future but insists the youngster ‘needs time’.

Ferdinand said: ‘I actually think Saliba’s got a really good chance of being a really, really good player. He just needs time.

‘All this pressure you’re putting on him putting him up against people I don’t think he needs it. He was on loan last season. His first big test lets be honest was at Old Trafford in a big signature game.