The astonishing Arsenal record William Saliba could break this weekend

William Saliba will become the fastest player in Arsenal history to reach 50 Premier League wins if the Gunners beat Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.

The defender joined Arsenal in 2019 from Saint-Etienne but had to wait three years to make his competitive top-flight debut, spending time out on loan to gain valuable experience.

Upon his return to north London, Saliba was first handed an Arsenal start on the opening day of the 2022/23 season, playing from the off in their 2-0 win at Crystal Palace to kickstart the campaign.

That victory was his first of 49 in the Premier League, and he can make it a half-century if Arsenal defeat Wolves to begin 2024/25.

Should Saliba play and help Arsenal to the three points, he will smash the record for appearances needed to chalk up 50 wins for the Gunners. Saturday's clash will be Saliba's 65th Premier League game.

The current record is held by former favourite Nacho Monreal, who needed 70 matches to reach the golden 50 total.

Many of the players immediately following Monreal were at Arsenal during their days at Highbury. Kolo Toure needed 72 matches, while Sol Campbell and Edu Gaspar, now sporting director, got to 50 wins after 73 games.

Of the current Arsenal squad, Aaron Ramsdale (76), Ben White and captain Martin Odegaard (both 77) are the closest to rivalling the record. Manager Mikel Arteta also needed 77 matches to achieve 50 wins during his time as a player at the Emirates.

If Saliba achieves his 50th win this weekend, he will rank joint-12th in the all-time Premier League list.

Phil Foden and Aymeric Laporte both needed only 59 games with Manchester City to get to 50 victories, with former Chelsea duo Didier Drogba (60) and Arjen Robben (61) lagging just behind.

Gabriel Jesus, Bernardo Silva and Ederson had to play 62 matches with City, as did Alisson with Liverpool. Oleksandr Zinchenko (63), Petr Cech and Nemanja Vidic (both 64) are the only other players ahead of Saliba if his number is set at 65, which would level him with ex-Liverpool midfielders Fabinho and Naby Keita.

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