Arsenal centre-back William Saliba could etch his name into the Gunners' record books when they conclude their Premier League season at home to Everton on Sunday afternoon.
After excelling in his breakthrough season under Mikel Arteta in the 2022-23 season, which was curtailed towards the end of the campaign by a back injury, the France international has gone from strength to strength again this term.
Enhancing his credentials as one of Europe's leading centre-backs, Saliba has come up with two goals and one assist in 37 Premier League games this season, helping Arteta's troupe keep 18 clean sheets.
The 23-year-old - who initially could not get a look-in at Arsenal and was loaned out to Saint-Etienne, Nice and Marseille - also shone during Arsenal's run to the Champions League quarter-finals, and he has not missed a single minute of Premier League football this season.
After 37 games in the 2023-24 campaign, Saliba is just one of two outfield players to play every minute of the top-flight season, sharing that honour with Wolverhampton Wanderers' Max Kilman.
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Saliba could achieve Arsenal first in Everton match
Should the 23-year-old also make it through the full 90 on Sunday, he will become the first-ever outfield man to play every single minute of a Premier League campaign for Arsenal.
With the Gunners still in with a shot of pipping Manchester City to title glory, there is nothing to suggest that Saliba will not start a 38th Premier League game of the season alongside Gabriel Magalhaes in defence.
Arsenal's title bid memorably collapsed last year after Saliba suffered a back injury in the Europa League, but with the Frenchman maintaining peak fitness throughout 2023-24, the Gunners have been the best defensive side in the division.
Just 28 goals have been shipped by Arteta's troops, but they start the day two points behind Man City in the table and therefore require West Ham United to get a result at the Etihad if they are to end their 20-year title drought.
Thanks to their superior goal difference, a win over Everton and a Man City draw at home to West Ham would suffice for Arsenal, who are also on a 12-match winning streak in final-day fixtures.
Arteta reveals West Ham "wish" for final day
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Arsenal's efforts against Everton will be inconsequential if the reigning champions beat David Moyes's side, but Arteta remains highly hopeful that the Gunners will be the ones lifting the crown aloft.
"It's one of the biggest weeks for many of us, and certainly now is the most important moment," the Spaniard said in his pre-game press conference. "I'm really excited and can't wait for Sunday to be in front of us, and obviously I'm very optimistic as well with the possible outcome."
Reflecting on City's crucial midweek win over Tottenham Hotspur, Arteta added: "The hope was there and it didn't happen and now we have to do our job which is going to be tough because Everton are in a really good moment, so we're going have to prove again that we can be better than the opponent and win the game.
"Then we have to wish for the best and for West Ham to have a really good day and help us to fulfil our dream. That's what we're hoping for."
As Arsenal vie for top-flight glory right until the final whistle, Everton are safely marooned in 15th place but could drop down to 16th depending on Brentford's result against Newcastle United.
Ben Knapton
