Arsenal’s defensive line has found a new rhythm after the long‑term injury withdrawal of centre‑back William Saliba, with Ezri Konsa stepping into the void and scoring his first goal for the club in a 2‑1 win over Everton on Saturday. The 29‑year‑old, who joined the Gunners in August for £55 million from Aston Villa, has become a key part of Arteta’s back four, helping the team keep five clean sheets in eight league games – the most in the Premier League this season.
Saliba’s absence was announced in July after a serious back problem forced him to miss an extended period. The Frenchman had formed a formidable partnership with Gabriel Magalhães, and together they were a cornerstone of Arsenal’s title‑winning defence last season, conceding only 27 league goals. With Saliba still sidelined, Arteta turned to Konsa, who had already proven himself as a top‑class defender at Villa, where he made 286 appearances and won the Europa League in 2023. Konsa’s international experience is also significant; he started seven of England’s eight matches at the World Cup and was praised by former Villa teammate Morgan Rogers as “one of the best centre‑backs in football.”
Arteta welcomed Konsa’s arrival, noting how quickly he settled into the squad. “He’s gone to a huge club with no pre‑season, and he’s performing at the level he’s doing, building chemistry with Gabi that seems so solid,” the manager said. Konsa’s statistics back up the praise: he finished last season with the Premier League’s highest pass‑completion rate and has maintained a 96 % success rate from 324 passes this campaign. He also tops the league for successful ground duels among outfield players, ranking 12th this season.
The partnership between Konsa and Gabriel has flourished. In their first six starts together, the pair have contributed two goals and five clean sheets. Their combined scoring in the Everton match was the first time Arsenal had two centre‑backs score in a Premier League game since February 2024, when Saliba and Gabriel netted against West Ham. Konsa said of the victory, “I’ve come to this stadium many seasons, I know how tough it is to play against us. We’re champions, and to be champions you have to win games consistently. This is our home and we want to win as many games here as possible.”
Arteta remains optimistic about Saliba’s return, noting the player’s quality and the special chemistry within the defensive trio. “We’re desperate to have him back because we know what he offers,” the manager said. He also highlighted the depth of the squad, noting that Mosquera could fill the role when necessary.
With the Premier League title race still tight and Arsenal sitting level on points at the top of the table, Konsa’s continued performances will be crucial as the team prepares for the next set of fixtures, including the Champions League group stage. The Gunners will look to maintain their defensive solidity while awaiting Saliba’s return, with Konsa ready to slot into the starting XI whether at centre‑back or right‑back.