‘One of the best’ – 12-second battle with Bukayo Saka proves American is truly a Premier League superstar - sports news foot

Antonee Robinson has missed just three Premier League matches across the past three seasons.

After a starring role in keeping Arsenal sensation Bukayo Saka quiet last weekend, he has cemented his status as one of the top full-backs in England.

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It was a sentiment shared by Fulham manager Marco Silva following his side’s impressive 1-1 draw with Arsenal at Craven Cottage.

“He’s been great for us,” Silva said. “He’s one of the best left-backs in this league.

“It’s not just the way he is able to stop players, but the way he is able to help ourselves.

“In open play, last season he was the full-back in this league with (the) most assists and this season (he) is probably one of the full-backs with the most assists.

“He’s a top player and a great professional. He’s a proper athlete and is improving in some defensive positions we want him to improve.

“He’s improving season by season, and week by week you can see he is improving, and we are really proud to have him with us.”

After 15 rounds, Robinson leads all defenders in the Premier League with four assists this season after finishing fourth in the assist charts last time around.

But against Arsenal, it was Robinson’s defensive duties that truly marked the progress he’s made over the course of his career in England – particularly over the past 12 months.

Facing one of the Premier League’s elite wingers in Saka, Robinson didn’t just add to Fulham’s impressive attacking display but played a major role in holding the England international to one of his quieter games of the season.

Saka came into proceedings with five combined goals and assists in his previous three games but Robinson’s match-high six tackles and close attention to the winger kept him suitably at bay as Fulham continued a strong start to the season with a valuable point.

One moment in particular highlighted Robinson’s standout performance and his increased defensive capabilities as he presented a nightmarish proposition for Saka.

With seven minutes left in the first half, Saka received the ball on Arsenal’s right flank and immediately found Robinson at his back.

Saka twisted and turned but found no way past the American full-back who held him up, allowed his team to retreat, and eventually poked the ball out for a throw-in. 

It was a moment that encompassed the diligent and determined performance that has become commonplace for Robinson and led to him taking over as Fulham captain in Tom Cairney’s absence.

It was also a moment that encompassed what Jonathan Wilson wrote about Robinson in the Guardian following the draw.

“Since Fulham’s return to the Premier League in 2022, the Milton Keynes-born USA international has been one of the most consistent left-backs in the division and yet is a weirdly undiscussed figure,” he explained. 

“He played a vital role in restricting Arsenal’s threat. Where others have a tendency to stand off Bukayo Saka, Robinson engaged him aggressively and had the better of their duel.”

Meanwhile, Miguel Delaney of the Independent even felt that Robinson’s performance was the blueprint and standard-bearer for anyone coming up against Saka, writing: “Antonee Robinson has handled Saka about as well as anyone in world football – brilliant individual performance.”

As well as leading all defenders in assists this season, Robinson has also amassed the most combined tackles and interceptions to underline his growth as a complete full-back.

It doesn’t get any easier. After Saka, enter Mohamed Salah.

On Saturday, Fulham travel to Anfield to face arguably the league’s most potent threat in Salah. It’s another huge test for Robinson and there could be more than just three points on the table.

Robinson is looking to take over Andy Robertson’s place as the Premier League’s best left-back and with the Scotsman coming to the end of his Liverpool career, links between ‘Jedi’ and the Scouse club are only growing.

His energy and excellence at both ends of the pitch make him a natural replacement for Robertson and Fulham will likely face a massive battle to keep him at the club.