Saliba talks up Arsenal’s chances of making history and hails difference maker

William Saliba is adamant Arsenal can claim all four trophies on offer this season as he cited their deep squad as a huge strength as they bid to become the first ever Quadruple winners

William Saliba insists Arsenal have a ‘Quad Squad’ with the belief it can sweep the board and re-write history. No team has ever gone on to win a Quadruple of Premier League, Champions League and both domestic cups in one campaign.

But Arsenal are heading into the home straight with a chance to land all four of the trophies they have been competing for. This would see them eclipse the Manchester United and City teams which won Trebles under Sir Alex Ferguson and Pep Guardiola.

There is a reason no side has ever won a Quadruple before – because it remains almost impossible to achieve. But when asked if Mikel Arteta’s men thought they were capable, Saliba was in no doubts.

He said: “Yeah, of course, we want to win every competition. We have the squad for that, we have the coach for that. So, yeah, we have to keep going and obviously be focused on every competition.

“Yeah, of course, we have a good squad this season. We have a lot of good players. Every player who doesn’t start can start as well. They are the level to start the games as well. So, yeah, everyone is ready, everyone is ready to step up when we need it.”

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Arsenal arrived at Elland Road by coach instead of flying up, due to thick fog at Leeds/Bradford Airport. While Arteta saw captain Bukayo Saka pull out of the game, after suffering a hip problem in the warm up. But once Martin Zubimendi headed them in front inside 27 minutes, Arteta’s side had lift off.

Leeds had lost just twice on home soil this season and once in their last 11 games. But the hosts were brushed aside with ease, on an afternoon which had promised to be tough for Arteta’s men, but was nothing of the sort. A shambolic mix-up between Karl Darlow and Dominic Calvert-Lewin allowed Noni Madueke’s corner to squeeze over the line.

Before Victor Gyokeres and substitute Gabriel Jesus added two more after the break, to see Leeds slump to their heaviest home defeat of the season.

Arsenal might be running out of admirers, due to producing functional rather than fairytale football. This was another display of power, control, set pieces and calm finishing. The perfect response to a blip which had seen them go three league games without a win.

And whatever the outcome of the title race, Saliba insists Arsenal will stick to doing things their way. He said: “It was so important to win, because last week we weren’t happy with the performance that we did at home. We conceded three goals, we lost that point. That’s a thing that we don’t like.

“We wanted to show that it was just like a mistake that can happen, and now we’re back to basics with a good clean sheet against a good team. Because it’s never easy to win at Elland Road. So, yeah, we are all happy with the performance, defensively and offensively.”

Arsenal host Chelsea in the second leg of their League Cup semi final on Tuesday. And Saliba knows winning the competition can be a springboard to greatness. He added: “I think if we got to the final of the Carabao Cup, it would be the first final of everything. We have to prove it that we want to win everything.”