When Arsenal confirmed in July that William Saliba would miss an “extended period” with a long-term back issue, you can forgive fans for panicking.
The Frenchman has formed a formidable pairing with Gabriel Magalhaes as part of the Gunners’ well-drilled backline that conceded just 27 league goals last season as they lifted the Premier League title.
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Eight games into the new season and Saliba still hasn’t featured, but Mikel Arteta’s side have conceded the fewest goals in the Premier League as they sit level on points at the summit.
That form is testament to the performances of Ezri Konsa, who has stepped up in Saliba’s absence and been given his chance to shine.
Before Arsenal signed the 29-year-old for £55m from Aston Villa in August, questions were asked. Is it too much money? Do the Gunners need him with Cristhian Mosquera already in the squad? Why bring in Konsa and not a forward?
But now, the debate is whether Konsa and Gabriel are the best partnership in world football, not just the Premier League.
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Arsenal already had seven senior defenders on the books when they signed Konsa.
And add in the fact they already had one of the most solid partnerships in world football too, it can be understood why there was confusion about such a big outlay.
Arsenal have changed their recruitment strategy, focusing on signings in the peak of their career as they look to capitalise on their win window and continue to lift silverware.
Konsa is exactly what they are looking for – in his prime.
The defender made 286 appearances for Villa after joining in July 2019 from Brentford and helped them win the Europa League in May, the club’s first European trophy since 1982.
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He has established himself as a first-choice starter for England and started seven of their eight games at the World Cup.
His former Aston Villa team-mate, Morgan Rogers – who himself made a big-money move this summer when he joined Chelsea for £117m – said at the World Cup that Konsa does not get the credit he deserves and that he is “one of the best centre-backs in football”.
Konsa’s impressive start
Konsa is an imposing figure, quick across the ground, and his aggression in challenges has impressed supporters.
Having signed on the opening day of the season, Arteta has praised the way the centre-back has settled in as “unbelievable”.
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“He’s gone to a huge club like Arsenal with no pre-season when Saliba is here, with other players that are already here,” Arteta added of Konsa’s start.
“To position yourself in that manner, with that naturality I would say, and performing at the level that he’s doing and building already a chemistry and a balance with Gabi that seems so solid, it’s very difficult to do and we are really lucky to have him.”
The stats back up Arteta’s claim.
Individually, Konsa had the best pass-completion rate of any player in the Premier League last season and he tops the chart again this season with 96% success rate from his 324 passes.
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He also ranked top for success rate among all Premier League outfielders to contest 20 or more ground duels during the last campaign and is currently ranked 12th for this in 2026-27.
Arsenal have kept a clean sheet in five of their eight games, with no team keeping more in the Premier League this season.
After joining just hours before their season-opener against Coventry, Konsa has started six of those matches, while he came on for his debut in their second match against former club Villa after Mosquera picked up an injury.
“The two of them [Saliba and Gabriel] were on the Ballon D’or list as the best defenders in world football,” Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown said on Match of the Day.
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“He has not been overshadowed at all by the people he has played alongside.”
And Konsa produced another impressive performance when he scored his first goal for Arsenal against Everton on Saturday.
“I’ve come to this stadium for many seasons, I know how tough it is to play against us. It’s not surprising to me,” Konsa said of Arsenal’s strong start to the season.
“We are champions and to be champions you’ve got to win games consistently. This is our home and we want to win as many games here as possible.”
Gabriel and Konsa partnership is flourishing
In his 200th Premier League appearance, Gabriel scored his 21st goal in the competition for Arsenal [Getty Images]
Nine starts, seven wins, five clean sheets, two goals between them – the partnership of Konsa and Gabriel could not be going much better.
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The pair both scored as the Gunners beat Everton and it was the first time that Arsenal had two centre-backs score in a Premier League match since February 2024, which coincidentally also came against a David Moyes team (Gabriel and Saliba against West Ham).
Konsa has also started all three of Arsenal’s games alongside Gabriel in the Champions League and the Gunners are unbeaten as the formidable partnership continues to flourish.
The England international has said that Gabriel made “my life easy since I’ve joined the club and it’s been a pleasure playing alongside him”.
Gabriel’s regular partner Saliba still has no date for a return but is currently doing individual training work on grass.
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When asked whether there is less pressure on Saliba rushing to get back, Arteta was keen to remind everyone of his quality.
“William is not fit and we are desperate to have him back because we know what he offers,” he said.
“We are really lucky to have that and I’m sure when Mosquera plays that he will be the same because they have something special those boys.
“The way we train them, the way they want to improve as well and how they look after each other. That’s the beauty of our team.”
The next challenge for Konsa will be when Saliba returns.
But with his ability to play right-back too, he doesn’t only have one route into the starting XI.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: Sports.yahoo.com
