Frank Lampard down plays comparison of Arsenal duo to John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho

LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 11: William Saliba of Arsenal celebrates after scoring with Gabriel of Arsenal and Bukayo Saka of Arsenal during the pre-season friendly match between Arsenal and Olympique Lyonnais at Emirates Stadium on August 11, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Vince Mignott/MB Media/Getty Images)

Chelsea legend Frank Lampard has asserted that Arsenal’s center-back pairing of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes need to win major trophies before they can be considered among the top-tier defensive partnerships in football history.

Since Mikel Arteta brought William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes together in the 2022/23 season, the duo has been instrumental in Arsenal’s resurgence as Premier League title contenders. Their solid performances have earned them a place in the PFA Team of the Year and widespread recognition as one of the best defensive pairings in the league.

Despite their impressive form, Lampard believes that comparisons to legendary partnerships like Chelsea’s John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho are premature. Speaking on Amazon Prime’s Champions League coverage, Lampard emphasized the importance of winning major trophies to cement their legacy.

“If they go and win two or three Premier Leagues and a Champions League, then maybe you can compare them. They are fantastic, young, and growing all the time, but it’s not fair to make that comparison because this is all ahead of them. Win some stuff, boys, and you can get in that conversation fully,” Lampard stated.

Lampard’s comments highlight the high standards set by past greats and the challenge facing Saliba and Gabriel. While they have shown immense potential and consistency, the true test will be their ability to lead Arsenal to silverware. With the Gunners currently in strong form, this season will be crucial for the duo to prove their mettle on the biggest stages.

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