Mikel Arteta hopes Aston Villa fans give Ezri Konsa a warm welcome | OneFootball

Mikel Arteta hopes Aston Villa supporters will not turn on Ezri Konsa when the defender returns to Villa Park for a possible Arsenal debut on Monday.

According to ExpressAndStar.com, Konsa is set for his first Arsenal appearance after a £55million move. He spent seven seasons at Villa, helped deliver the Europa League and a top-four finish, and made 286 appearances.

Arteta said he would like Konsa to receive a warm welcome, though that is for the home crowd to decide. He added that he knows the defender’s character, has no concerns about him playing there, has trained well and is available for selection.

Arsenal ended a 22-year wait for the title last season. They saw off Manchester City to take the Community Shield a week before starting their defence with a 3-0 win over Coventry.

The Gunners continue to explore late additions before Tuesday’s deadline, with Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez still on their radar, though hopes of a deal remain low. Arteta said it is natural to look for signings but the focus remains on the players already in the building. He is satisfied for now and hopes to be happier after the window if Arsenal perform at Villa and win, while expecting improvement as the squad develops.

Source: ExpressAndStar.com

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