In a season of struggle for Manchester United, the £19 million defender has been one of the few players at Erik ten Hag’s disposal who has taken his game to another level.
Diogo Dalot, one of the most improved full-backs in the Premier League, has come on leaps and bounds at both ends of the pitch, his suddenly pinpoint crossing earning comparisons to a prime David Beckham and his concentration levels substantially increased.
You can probably count on one hand the number of defenders who has kept Bukayo Saka at arms’ length this season. But Dalot did exactly that back in September; the Arsenal number seven seeing his influence limited during that dramatic late 3-1 win over Man United.
Dalot, who started at left-back at the Emirates, still labels Saka one of the toughest wingers he has come up against in the Premier League, however, alongside a jet-heeled forward the England international shares a dressing room with in Arsenal red.
Manchester United man hails two Arsenal stars
“From Rashford to Antony or Bruno Fernandes, and in the Premier League there are many difficult opponents to face. Especially among the wingers,” Dalot tells Cronache di Spogliatoio, mentioning the Arsenal duo alongside three Manchester City stars when asked to name his most daunting opponents.
“You play against the best in the world. But, above all, against the best wingers. I’m thinking of (Jack) Grealish or (Jeremy) Doku. Saka (and Gabriel) Martinelli. There are many who dribble and go very fast.
“I didn’t have the opportunity to be very close to (Erling) Haaland because he’s in the centre and I’m on the wing. But, when he moves off-centre and comes to your area, it’s a really good challenge because he’s strong, tall and quick.”
With 14 goals and eight assists, only Cole Palmer, Heung-Min Son, Ollie Watkins and Mohammed Salah have contributed more combined than Saka during the 2023/24 Premier League season. The Arsenal academy graduate, so effervescent and electrifying during Saturday’s 2-0 win at Wolves, will be looking to enhance his already impressive tally as Mikel Arteta’s title-chasers host London rivals Chelsea tonight.
Martinelli’s form, however, has not been quite so impressive. The buccaneering Brazilian only has six league goals to his name, and has not started since the 6-0 hammering of Sheffield United in early March. Martinelli may have to be content with a place on Arteta’s bench again vs Chelsea, with Leandro Trossard opening the scoring in his absence at Molineux.
Gunners host Chelsea at the Emirates on Tuesday
“Trossard, great player. He’s a little magician,” Arteta told TNT Sport of one of the most underrated players in English football after that hard-earned Wolverhampton Wanderers win.
“He can score on any surface and he’s a big threat. So composed, so cool, he can play in different positions. It’s just a joy to have him in the team.
“I think the timing of the first goal was really helpful as well. (I am) really happy.”
Arsenal can go three points clear of Liverpool and four ahead of Manchester City with a win at the Emirates this evening.