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Darren Bent names top 5 Premier League players so far this season — just one Arsenal star makes the cut

talkSPORT

Appearing on talkSPORT radio earlier this week, former 

 are currently top of the top-flight table after 12 games, just one Emirates star — 

Bent said: "If I had to pick two centre-backs, I mean I'm torn a little bit. So one would be Saliba. Saliba would be one. I think he's been brilliant and you've seen it, how good he's been for Arsenal this season.

"Arsenal currently sit top of the Premier League table. Now I'm torn, because I like 

"It's like a flip of a coin. He went heads so I'm going Botman. I think he's been brilliant, he's only 22 as well. Newcastle chased him for a while. His performances have been outstanding so I've gone for Botman and Saliba."

Bent's top 5 Premier League players this season:

The Athletic: Arsenal open 'formal negotiations' with William Saliba over new contract (reliability: 5 stars)

 have now opened 'formal negotiations' with 

 over a new long-term contract, according to 

The centre-back's current deal, signed back in 2019, expires in the summer of 2024 and the Gunners can extend it for a further year.

However, the Frenchman's emergence as a key player for 

's side this season has led to conversations over an improved agreement.

Nothing has been decided just yet but the dialogue with the 21-year-old's camp will continue. Meanwhile, Saliba is said to have 'many admirers across Europe'.

'His performance always goes under the radar': fans name unsung hero of the season at Arsenal

 returned to winning ways with a 5–0 thrashing of 

 on Sunday after the midweek defeat in the 

 reclaimed his spot at right-back, making a vital block with the score at 1–0 to give the Gunners a platform to win the game later on.

And the fans believe that the centre-back, whose performances tend to fly under the radar, must be part of the 

: "If this dude is not on the plane the England manager is an idiot."

: "He is the smartest defender in the squad. Heэs the player you want young kids coming to watch, he reads the game brilliantly, is exceptional on the ball, knows when to get physical, and has that little bit of trickery in his game to commit the dark arts when necessary."

: "I just love his no-nonsense, unfazed, character. RB, CB, wherever, whenever, he gets the job done."

: "His performance always goes under the radar, but what a player."

: "If we can get Tomi back to RB and Tierney/Zinchenko back at LB, I'd be interested to see White tried as a backup DM in place of Partey."

: "Same point I wanted to bring up, he makes life so much easier for Saliba. Teams often don't seem to want to attack down their left because of White on that side, and if they go at the center of our defense White always seems to be there to clean anything up."

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Bent has a point. For me, Saliba and Jesus have been Arsenal's best players so far. But Martinelli, Xhaka, Saka, Odegaard and Partey aren't far off. They've all been fantastic,  reason why we're up there at the zenith⚽️

Player		G
Erling Haaland	Man City	25
Cole Palmer	Chelsea	21
Ollie Watkins	Aston Villa	19

Darren Bent names top 5 Premier League players so far this season — just one Arsenal star makes the cut

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