Rio Ferdinand believes Mikel Arteta faces a difficult selection decision when William Saliba returns to full fitness, with Ezri Konsa making an impressive start to his Arsenal career.
The former Manchester United defender praised Konsa’s performances since his £55 million move from Aston Villa, arguing that the England international has quickly established himself as an important part of Arsenal’s defence.
READ MORE
Saliba has yet to feature for the Gunners this season after suffering a back injury during France’s World Cup campaign. However, he has returned to training and was included in Arsenal’s matchday squad for their recent Champions League fixture against Slavia Prague.
Rio Ferdinand Praises Ezri Konsa’s Impressive Arsenal Start
Konsa arrived at the Emirates Stadium in the summer and has stepped into the defensive line alongside Gabriel Magalhães during Saliba’s absence. His performances have helped Arsenal maintain their defensive consistency, giving Arteta another strong option at centre-back.
Ferdinand was particularly impressed by how naturally Konsa has adapted to life in north London. Speaking on his YouTube channel, he said:
The latest Arsenal news, straight to your inbox.
Get the biggest transfer stories, match reports and breaking Arsenal updates delivered directly to you.
By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe at any time.
“Mikel Arteta has got a problem, he’s got a huge problem now. What is he going to do when William Saliba is fit?
“Ezri Konsa has come into that back-four and he looks like he’s been there for ten years. He looks like an immovable object in that team… He looks dominant, aggressive and accustomed to wearing the Arsenal shirt.”
The comments underline how quickly Konsa has become an important part of Arteta’s defensive setup. Football365’s coverage of Ferdinand’s assessment also includes his view that Arsenal have benefited from the defender’s seamless integration.
William Saliba’s Return Creates a Selection Dilemma
Saliba’s return will strengthen Arsenal, but it could leave Arteta with a difficult decision over his preferred centre-back partnership. The Frenchman established himself as one of the Premier League’s leading defenders before his injury, forming a strong partnership with Gabriel.
Ferdinand acknowledged that Saliba’s quality makes him difficult to leave out, even with Konsa performing well.
“It’s a problem but it’s a problem that I hope Mikel Arteta will enjoy because he’s got two top centre-backs vying to be in the team. It’s a good position to be in.”
ArsenalTalks has previously covered Mikel Arteta’s comments on a William Saliba injury update. His return to contention would give the manager another high-quality option at a crucial stage of the campaign.
Ferdinand Suggests Konsa Could Play at Right-Back
One possible solution could involve moving Konsa into the right-back position once Saliba is ready to return to the starting XI. The England international has experience in that role from his time at Aston Villa, giving Arteta some tactical flexibility.
Ferdinand believes that versatility could become useful as Arsenal manage their defensive options throughout the season. He suggested that Konsa could sometimes move across to right-back, allowing Saliba and Gabriel to continue together in central defence.
Ferdinand also admitted that Manchester United should have pursued Konsa themselves, describing the defender as a “top, top player”.
Arsenal Have a Strong Defensive Foundation
Arsenal’s ability to maintain their defensive standards without Saliba demonstrates the depth Arteta has built within his squad. Konsa’s arrival has given the manager another experienced option, while Gabriel continues to provide leadership and physical presence at the heart of the defence.
MORE ARSENAL STORIES
The return of Saliba will give Arsenal even greater quality as they pursue success in the Premier League and Champions League. Arteta’s challenge will be managing the competition for places without disrupting a defensive partnership that has performed well in the Frenchman’s absence.
For now, Konsa has done enough to make the selection decision interesting. Saliba’s return may be a welcome boost, but Arteta will have to decide how best to fit two high-quality defenders into his starting team.
