Mikel Arteta Faces Selection Dilemma as Ezri Konsa Shines
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta faces a major selection headache as summer signing Ezri Konsa continues to deliver stellar performances in the heart of the defence. While William Saliba prepares to return from a back injury, Konsa has established himself as a rock at the back for the Premier League leaders. The 29-year-old England defender has seamlessly transitioned into the squad following a £55million move from Aston Villa.
The defensive stability provided by Konsa played a crucial role in Arsenal securing a 1-0 victory over Liverpool on Sunday. That result ended a 14-year Anfield hoodoo for the Gunners and pushed them three points clear at the top of the Premier League table. Konsa has started ten games since joining the club, keeping six clean sheets along the way.
How Ezri Konsa Stepped Up During William Saliba Injury
Mikel Arteta must have feared the worst when William Saliba aggravated a back issue during the World Cup in the summer. Saliba has been a cornerstone of Arsenal's success since Arteta took charge in December 2019, ranking among the players with the most appearances under the manager. However, the arrival of Konsa has cushioned the blow of the Frenchman's absence.
Konsa has quickly gelled with central defensive partner Gabriel, forming a partnership that staff members note feels years in the making. Arsenal defender Ben White praised his new teammate after the win at Merseyside. Ben White said: If you saw Ezri at Villa, you know what he is about. He is so calm. If you watch football, you know what type of player he is. There were no concerns with him coming in, he is a very good player.
Defensive Depth and the Return of William Saliba
William Saliba is pushing to return as soon as possible and will most likely make his comeback after next week's international break. Ordinarily, the 25-year-old would walk straight back into the starting lineup, especially with a huge clash against Manchester City looming on November 29. Dropping Konsa in his current form presents a severe dilemma for the coaching staff.
The addition of Konsa provides unprecedented defensive depth, allowing Arteta to properly rotate Gabriel and Saliba as the season progresses. Arsenal have high hopes for 22-year-old Cristhian Mosquera, but the club needed experience in the summer due to Saliba's injury concerns. Furthermore, right-backs Ben White and Jurrien Timber both underwent surgery, making defensive cover an absolute necessity before the campaign began.
Tactical Options to Accommodate Both Defenders
Although Konsa has operated exclusively in the centre so far, he was originally brought in to provide cover at right-back as well. Deploying him on the right flank later in the season offers one clear method to fit Gabriel, Saliba, and Konsa into the same starting lineup. Such a move would create a towering backline alongside Riccardo Calafiori, ensuring every player in the defensive unit stands at least 6ft tall.
Defensive steel anchored Arsenal's title charge last season, and Konsa's impact suggests a similar formula is driving the current campaign. Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher highlighted the team's defensive strength after watching them shut down Liverpool at Anfield without conceding a single shot on target. Jamie Carragher said: They are defensively the best team in this country, arguably in Europe. That is without, arguably, the best centre-back in the world in Saliba. And when you think about Arsenal winning titles, especially in 89 and 91 with Tony Adams and that famous back four, we are getting close to putting this back-four in that conversation.
