Rodri was recently ruled out for the season in a massive blow for Pep Guardiola’s side, who have narrowly beaten Arsenal to the last two top-flight trophies.
That injury has led pundits to debate if things were the other way around, which Arsenal player City would most want on the sidelines for the same length of time.
‘(William) Saliba,’ Carragher said on The Overlap’s Stick To Football show, brought to you by Sky Bet.
‘I don’t think they’ve got much backup at centre-back, really. If (Declan) Rice went out, they’ve got (Thomas) Partey, they’ve got Jorginho.
‘At centre-back, who would you bring in there if one of them is out? Left-footed, aren’t they (Riccardo Calafiori and Jakub Kiwior). I think Saliba, definitely.’
William Saliba has established himself as one of the best central defenders in the Premier League and he has formed a key partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes.
Saliba has previously claimed that Arsenal could’ve won the 2022-23 Premier League trophy had he not suffered an injury in the title run-in.
The France international was ruled out of the final 11 games of that season due to a back injury with the Gunners eventually missing out to City.
‘It’s clear that with me, Arsenal could have been champions,’ Saliba said. ‘But injuries are [a] part of football.’
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice hailed Saliba two weeks ago, stating that he ‘couldn’t speak highly enough’ of the 23-year-old and two other teammates.
‘The two centre-backs, I can’t speak highly enough of them and the goalkeeper (David Raya). He has gone to a next level, unbelievable,’ Rice told TNT Sports.
‘They love defending. When you have got that three, the little triangle, who want it as much as they do, it is really good.’