Arsenal spending up to £55million on Ezri Konsa initially looked unusual for a team that had just produced the Premier League’s best defence. The numbers behind the England international help explain why Mikel Arteta considered the investment worthwhile.
Arsenal conceded only 27 league goals last season, eight fewer than any other Premier League side.
Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba had already established themselves as an elite partnership, while Arteta could also call upon Cristhian Mosquera, Riccardo Calafiori, Ben White, Piero Hincapie and Jurrien Timber.
Yet Arsenal still completed a deal worth up to £55m for Konsa on Friday.
One particular statistic helps explain the decision.
Eberechi Eze welcoming Ezri Konsa to Arsenal 🤝 ❤️
🎥 @bIuezoya pic.twitter.com/pubuV2tOSx
— DailyAFC (@DailyAFC) August 21, 2026
Ezri Konsa gives Arsenal elite one-v-one security
Opta’s analysis of Konsa shows that the defender has been dribbled past just 0.17 times per 90 minutes across 231 Premier League appearances.
Only Erling Haaland has recorded a lower rate among players to make at least 100 appearances over that period, although the Manchester City striker obviously operates in a completely different position.
More revealing is Konsa’s performance when tackles, unsuccessful challenges and fouls are all taken into account.
His 74.8 per cent true-tackle success rate is the second-best among players to make 100 or more Premier League appearances since he joined Aston Villa in 2019.
Saliba sits fourth on the same list at 73.8 per cent.
For Arteta, that similarity is significant.
Arsenal entered the season without Saliba and Timber, creating an immediate need for another defender capable of surviving individual battles when Arsenal push numbers forward.
Konsa provides exactly that.
Arsenal have also bought something injuries cannot provide
There is another number which could be equally important.
Konsa has been available in at least 90 per cent of Aston Villa’s matchday squads in six of his seven seasons at the club.
His lowest figure was still 83 per cent, with suspensions rather than injuries responsible for several of those absences.
Availability carries enormous value for an Arsenal side already dealing with defensive injuries.
Konsa can also play at right-back, allowing Arteta to change the shape of his defence without needing an entirely different profile of player.
Arsenal’s own tactical analysis of their new signing highlights that versatility and the calmness he brings in possession.
His 95.5 per cent pass-completion rate last season led the Premier League among players with significant minutes, although Opta provides an important caveat.
Konsa attempted a particularly high proportion of low-risk passes and ranked only 52nd for line-breaking passes.
Arsenal are unlikely to need him to become their primary progressive defender.
They need him to retain possession, cover multiple positions and win duels.
That makes the £55m investment easier to understand.
Arsenal have not bought another centre-back simply because one became available.
They have bought a proven Saliba alternative whose strongest statistical qualities are precisely the ones Arteta suddenly needs.
Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli gamble risks damaging Arteta’s biggest strength
Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli gamble risks damaging Arteta’s biggest strength
Arsenal vs Man City: 3-0 rout reveals title advantage money can’t buy
Arsenal vs Man City: 3-0 rout reveals title advantage money can’t buy