What Arsenal star has said about Ezri Konsa before £51m transfer completed | OneFootball

England defender is already highly-rated in the Gunners dressing room

The Gunners have been determined to sign a new right-sided defender this summer, particularly as they head into the new season without the injured Jurrien Timber and William Saliba.

That area of weakness is now set to be addressed. A deal has been agreed with Aston Villa for Ezri Konsa, believed to be worth £51million plus add-ons.

Konsa is set to undergo a medical on Thursday ahead of completing his move to Arsenal. If the 28-year-old is not registered by midday, his debut is likely to come against his former club at Villa Park next weekend.

It would be a surprise if Saka had not been messaging Konsa in recent days about the transfer.

The pair have struck up a close friendship in recent years while on England duty together.

That was seen during Villa's trophy parade for the Europa League at the end of last season, when Saka video called Konsa while the defender was on the bus.

"On the pitch you have to forget that you're friends, but off the pitch you've got to have that relationship," Konsa said.

"I didn't return the favour when Bukayo was on his [Premier League title] parade! But yeah, it was a nice gesture and I'm looking forward to seeing him again."

Arsenal have signed Konsa in the knowledge that he is a player capable of slotting straight into the side without a period of adaptation.

He has the pace to play a high line and the versatility to feature either at full-back or in the centre of defence.

Mikel Arteta will have taken particular note of the fact that of those who played at least 500 minutes in the Premier League last season, nobody won more of their ground duels than Konsa.

Saka knows first-hand just how good a defender Konsa can be, especially when up against a winger.

During Euro 2024, Saka revealed how using the defender for extra drills during training had made him a better player.

"In some sessions, I do a little one-v-one with Ezri because for me, he is one of the best in the Premier League defending one-v-one," Saka said.

“He improves me and it improves him as well. I enjoy coming up against him."

The pair will now team up for club and country, with Konsa's arrival bolstering an already incredibly strong English group at Arsenal.

Konsa represented the Three Lions at the World Cup over the summer alongside four Arsenal players in Saka, Noni Madueke, Eberechi Eze and Declan Rice.

With the likes of Ethan Nwaneri, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Ben White and Max Dowman added to that, Thomas Tuchel can be expected to make plenty of trips to north London this season.