Cristian Romero sent clear message about behaviour at Tottenham as Arsenal argument made

Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven have formed a solid partnership at Tottenham this season, with the duo conceding just five goals in the Premier League this season

Former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Sandro has overlooked Arsenal's centre-back duo, Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba, when asked about the Premier League's best defensive partnership. Despite the Gunners' formidable defence conceding a mere five goals in the English top-flight this season, contributing to their four-point lead, Sandro holds a different opinion.

Speaking with football.london, via football odds, the Brazilian was quizzed on whether Tottenham's Romero and Micky van de Ven form the league's top defensive pair. He expressed admiration for how Romero interacts with referees and Spurs' players.

"I think so, I believe that it is the best defensive partnership in the Premier League, because you can see the quality that Van de Ven has and his speed," he said.

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"Yes, he made a mistake against Chelsea, but who doesn't make a mistake? Everybody does, and if you balance the mistakes and the good things that he does, he's amazing."

On Romero's behaviour, Sandro added: "The leadership that Romero has, it's unbelievable. You can see straight away the way he manages the game, the way he talks with the referees, with the midfielders. I love Romero. Proper leader.

"And I think he's now reading the game a little bit more to get into positions, where he used to get stupid yellow cards and red cards.

"But now, I think he has learned a little bit. Okay, he's never going to change, he goes for the ball, but I think he's now a bit calmer."

Sandro's assessment differs from that of Arsenal legend Martin Keown. The former England defender has previously declared that Magalhaes and Saliba represent the finest defensive partnership in Europe.

"Gabriel and Saliba are the best partnership in Europe; they're aggressive, contact players," he told TNT Sports in 2024.

Ex-Manchester United centre-back Rio Ferdinand shares this opinion. "I think they are the best pairing in Europe," he said on his Rio Ferdinand Presents YouTube channel.

"They complement each other, their styles are perfect for each other. A good mix and blend."

Arsenal and Tottenham will get the opportunity to demonstrate which partnership reigns supreme when both sides meet in their first fixture after the international break on Sunday, November 23.

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