Ezri Konsa with a focused expression playing for Arsenal against Chelsea
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images
Ezri Konsa has slotted into Arsenal’s defence like he’s been there for years.
Since joining from Aston Villa in the summer, he has formed a superb partnership with Gabriel while William Saliba has been out, and he scored his first goal for the club against Everton on Saturday. Nottingham Forest boss Oliver Glasner even called the pair “possibly the best centre-back pairing in the world at the moment”.
But there has been one big adjustment. Speaking alongside Riccardo Calafiori on The 2 Robbies Podcast for NBC Sports, Konsa admitted Arsenal ask something very different of him than Villa did.
David Raya of Arsenal celebrates after Ezri Konsa of Arsenal (not pictured) scores his team’s first goal during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Arsenal FC and Everton at Emirates Stadium on October 24, 2026 in London, England.
Ezri Konsa on the difference between Arsenal and Aston Villa
Under Unai Emery, Villa are known for their aggressive high line, and Ezri Konsa was asked whether defending for Arsenal felt different.
“Yeah, of course. Like you said at Villa, we played a really high line, you know, trying to catch teams offside as much as possible,” he said. “But here, I think you guys have seen the record that these guys have had over the past couple of seasons, the amount of clean sheets they keep, the amount of goals they concede. It’s up there for a reason.
“I would say at Arsenal you do a lot more running. I’m doing more running than I have before.”
Rather than relying on the offside trap, Mikel Arteta’s defenders are expected to cover big spaces, especially when the full-backs push on. Konsa explained that when Calafiori, Jurrien Timber or Ben White go forward, Arsenal effectively become a back three, and that it all comes down to communication with Gabriel. “Whenever they go forward, I never feel like we’re not secure at the back,” he said. “We are very secure.”
He’s clearly loving life in north London. Konsa described the move as “a no-brainer” once he’d spoken to Arteta about the role he had in mind, and at 29, he believes he’s only just hitting his peak. “I feel like I’m at an age now where I’m coming into my prime,” he said. “I’m still learning. I’m still willing to learn. I want to learn. I want to improve.”
He’ll need all that extra running on Sunday. Liverpool have pace to burn in Bradley Barcola and Rio Ngumoha, and with Calafiori a doubt, Konsa and Gabriel face another huge test yet at Anfield.