LONDON – Jean-Philippe Mateta, Crystal Palace’s towering target man and the self-proclaimed “strongest striker in the Premier League,” has dropped a candid bombshell ahead of Sunday’s electric London derby at Selhurst Park. The 28-year-old Frenchman, who’s been bulldozing defenses with 14 goals and 6 assists in 12 appearances this season – outpacing even Erling Haaland’s haul in raw physical dominance – admitted in a raw, unfiltered interview with Sky Sports that there’s one Arsenal defender who turns his knees to jelly. “I’m a powerful striker everyone knows, but I don’t like playing against that guy… I’m scared of him,” Mateta confessed, his voice dropping to a near-whisper as he named the culprit: William Saliba. The 24-year-old French center-back, Arsenal’s colossus of composure, has Mateta spooked like no other, turning what should be a brute-force battle into a mental chess match.

Mateta’s revelation, taped during a midweek recovery session at Palace’s Copers Cope base, paints a vivid picture of dread. “Saliba’s not just big – he’s everywhere. Quick, smart, and those tackles? They hurt. Last season at the Emirates, he shut me down like I was a kid. I scored that lob on Raya, but Saliba was on me every second after. It’s like playing against a wall that moves.” The clip, leaked via Palace’s social media intern, exploded online, racking up 3 million views in hours and thrusting Saliba – already a Ballon d’Or dark horse with a 98% duel win rate – into viral villain status for Eagles fans. Mateta, who bulldozed Bournemouth for a hat-trick last weekend (3.67 xG in one game, the highest individual mark this term), laughed off his vulnerability: “Everyone fears someone. For me, it’s Willy. But Sunday? I’ll eat my words… or score anyway.”

This isn’t bravado from the underdog; Mateta’s credentials scream elite. Since Oliver Glasner’s arrival in February 2024, the ex-Frankfurt poacher has netted 27 Premier League goals, trailing only Salah, Haaland, and Isak in that span. His “nightmare” factor for defenders? Alan Shearer nailed it on Match of the Day: “Mateta’s a bully up top – holds off anyone, spins in behind like a ghost.” Aerial duels won: 72% league-high; sprints into the box: 4.2 per game. Thierry Henry dubbed him an “old-fashioned striker” on CBS, praising his hold-up play that dragged Arsenal’s backline ragged in a 2-2 thriller last April, where Mateta’s audacious chip equalized – though he admitted, “I was scared when it hit the crossbar.” Palace sit 9th with 15 points, buoyed by Mateta’s form, but face Arteta’s fortress: Arsenal unbeaten in 10, conceding just three goals thanks to Saliba’s partnership with Gabriel Magalhães, the stingiest duo in Europe.

Saliba, the €75 million Lille alum who’s anchored 18 clean sheets since 2023, embodies Arsenal’s defensive renaissance. At 6’4″ with sprinter speed (top speed 34.7 km/h), he’s a tactical terror: 2.1 interceptions per game, zero errors leading to shots. Mateta’s fear? Rooted in history – in four clashes, the Palace hitman has zero goals past Saliba’s watch, including a 5-1 Emirates rout where William “ghosted” him, per Opta. “He’s the reason I train extra on hold-up,” Mateta added. “That guy’s a freak – polite off-pitch, monster on it.” Both French internationals, they’ve shared youth setups, but Saliba’s rise (Pro Bowl equivalent: PFA Team of the Year) has Mateta tipping his cap: “Respect. But Sunday, no fear – just fire.”

The timing couldn’t be spicier. With Arsenal chasing a first title since 2004 (25 points from 10 games), Palace – under Glasner – eye a top-half finish, fueled by Mateta’s Ebere Eze link-up (5 combined goals). Arteta, prepping rotations sans suspended Thomas Partey, grinned at the shade: “Willy scares everyone – that’s his superpower. Mateta’s a handful, but our wall holds.” Fans are frothing: #MatetaVsSaliba trends with 100k posts, Palace punters betting on a Jean-Phillipe brace (odds 5/1), while Gooners meme Saliba as “The Frenchman Who Fears No Frog.” Pundits like Gary Neville predict a “physical chess match” – Mateta’s power vs. Saliba’s poise could decide the derby.

For Mateta, the “strongest” tag – coined by Henry for his 6’3″ frame and 85% hold-up success – rings true, but vulnerability humanizes him. “Scared? Yeah, but it sharpens me,” he shrugged. As Selhurst’s hollering faithful gear up, this confession adds edge to a fixture historically tight (Palace unbeaten in last three vs. Arsenal). Will Mateta conquer his bogeyman, or will Saliba’s stare-down silence the beast? One thing’s certain: in the Premier League’s cauldron, fear is just fuel. Eagles soar, Gunners grind – Sunday promises fireworks.