Gary Lineker talks about Arsenal’s defensive strength (Picture: The Rest Is Football)
Gary Lineker has hinted William Saliba will struggle to win his place back in Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side given the form of Ezri Konsa.
The France international is close to making his return from the back injury he suffered in a World Cup semi-final defeat against Spain.
Saliba’s absence threatened to undermine the early weeks of Arsenal’s Premier League title defence but in truth he has hardly been missed at all.
Eyebrows were raised when Arteta sanctioned a £55milllion move for Konsa in the summer but his judgement has been fully vindicated.
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The former Aston Villa star has hardly put a foot wrong and Lineker believes he is a better out and out defender than the man who will be gunning to reclaim his place.
‘I think Konsa is ultimately a better defender,’ Lineker told The Rest is Football. ‘I think Saliba has got the odd mistake in him.
‘Konsa I’ve not really seen that yet.’
Lineker’s co-host Micah Richards, meanwhile, took a different view although he confessed he had underestimated Konsa.
‘I would still say Saliba, let’s not forget Saliba won the title last season,’ said Richards.
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‘John Terry called it early. though. He said if Saliba gets an injury or when he was out injured I don’t think Saliba will get back in because Konsa is that good.
‘And I thought oh if JT is saying that it must have a little bit of substance and I sort of I wouldn’t say I didn’t agree with it, I thought let me see.
‘But he’s been proven right at the moment because he’s been that good.’
Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - November 23, 2025 Arsenal's Piero Hincapie reacts Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR 'LIVE' SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 120 IMAGES, NO VIDEO EMULATION. NO USE IN BETTING, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVE FOR FURTHER DETAILS..
Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - November 23, 2025 Arsenal's Piero Hincapie reacts Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR 'LIVE' SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 120 IMAGES, NO VIDEO EMULATION. NO USE IN BETTING, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVE FOR FURTHER DETAILS..