Arsenal are reportedly preparing Ezri Konsa to play at right-back as William Saliba edges closer to a return from a back injury. The plan, a report claims, would give the summer signing a second route into the side and could raise questions over Ben White’s future. According to Football365.com.
Konsa’s right-back training offers Arsenal cover as Saliba returns
Mikel Arteta is reported to have been preparing Ezri Konsa for duty at right-back, with Football Transfers claiming the defender has been drilled in the role since joining in the summer. The outlet says the move would give the England international a second position to contest as Saliba’s return approaches.
The report suggests the role would hardly be unfamiliar. Konsa spent time at right-back for Aston Villa, notably during the 2023/24 season, and also made his England debut as a full-back. Arsenal signed him from Villa in the summer in a deal worth £55m.
Saliba was due to miss the first few months of the season with a back injury that needed no surgery but plenty of rehabilitation, and Konsa has provided strong cover in his absence. The France international took part in training on Tuesday and played 45 minutes behind closed doors last week.
Arteta said Saliba’s progress has matched expectations, which he noted is not always the case, and described him as “in a really good place”. On selection, he was non-committal: “He feels ready to go now, so whether we use him or not is a matter of what the team needs.”
Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes have been regarded as among the strongest centre-back pairings in world football in recent years, so Saliba is likely to return ahead of Konsa before long. Football Transfers adds that White’s future would appear to be called into question by the decision to train Konsa on Arsenal’s right.
