John Terry praise Arsenal trio as key to title charge ahead of North London derby

How John Terry Arsenal praise highlights Saliba, Gabriel, and Rice as core figures in Arteta’s title charge.

Former Chelsea captain John Terry has singled out three Arsenal players for special praise ahead of the highly anticipated North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur. Terry’s assessment puts fresh attention on how Mikel Arteta has built one of the most resilient cores in England.

John Terry has rarely praised Arsenal publicly, but he made an exception this week, singling out William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhães, and Declan Rice as the pillars of Arteta’s high-performing squad. The Premier League legend described them as the “foundation of Arsenal’s success,” noting their collective influence on structure, control, and defensive authority.

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Terry, speaking to talkSPORT, praised Saliba’s positional mastery, composure under pressure, and elite game reading. He labelled Saliba “one of the best young defenders in Europe,” pointing to the Frenchman’s consistency and near-flawless decision-making.

Saliba’s speed, anticipation, and comfort in one-on-one situations have made Arsenal’s backline significantly harder to break down this season.

Gabriel Magalhães: Physical Leader and Defensive Enforcer

Gabriel also earned heavy praise from Terry, who credited the Brazilian with bringing toughness, aerial dominance, and leadership to Arsenal’s defensive structure. Terry noted how Gabriel’s synergy with Saliba has helped the club establish one of the strongest defensive records in the league.

Gabriel’s presence has been vital in high-pressure situations, particularly in tight matches where concentration and control are essential.

Declan Rice completed Terry’s trio of game-changing performers. The England international, signed for £105m, has been central to Arsenal’s transformation into a more balanced and disciplined team.

Terry praised Rice for his “incredible engine, awareness, and tactical discipline,” acknowledging that Arsenal’s midfield stability and defensive protection have reached new levels since his arrival.

Title Race Context: Arsenal’s Growing Confidence

Terry’s remarks come as Arsenal sit firmly in the title conversation, four points clear of Manchester City and showing resilience in tight fixtures. Their only league defeat so far—a narrow loss to Liverpool—has not derailed their consistency or confidence.

Arteta’s side have displayed maturity, improved game management, and greater defensive reliability, all factors Terry believes are linked directly to the trio he identified.

The upcoming North London derby carries major weight for Arsenal’s season. Tottenham remain a threat under new management, but inconsistencies have plagued their campaign. Arsenal, on the other hand, will rely on Saliba, Gabriel, and Rice—the very players Terry praised—to set the tone in what could be a season-defining contest.

Arsenal’s evolution from a formerly fragile side to one of the league’s most structurally complete teams has been widely recognised. Terry’s praise further underlines how far they have come under Arteta’s leadership.

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