Martin Keown says there’s one big question mark hanging over Arsenal’s Ezri Konsa right now
Arsenal have completed the signing of Ezri Konsa but Martin Keown has raised a potential issue for the Arsenal newbie.
The Gunners have paid north of £50m for Konsa and after chasing him for much of the summer, Mikel Arteta will be relieved to get his man.
Arsenal’s squad now looks stronger than ever and on the evidence of last night’s win over Coventry, they’ll take some stopping again.
However, while Konsa is a positive signing for Arsenal, former centre-half Martin Keown believes there is a question mark over the England man.
Martin Keown questions if Ezri Konsa is better than Christian Mosquera
Arsenal are well stocked in defence now. Konsa’s arrival means there is now a serious battle for places on in that back four.
One of the big questions is whether Ben White makes way for the new signing. However, according to Keown, it could be a battle now between Mosquera and Konsa at centre-back.
“You look at the profile of the player, quick, mobile, aggressive, exactly the same as the other central defenders at the club right now. Saliba is not available so there’s a chance to get in but can he get past Mosquera? Mosquera in pre-season’s been one of the best players,” Keown said on TNT Sports.
“So, you know he wants a player really he wants two players for every position but I think for central defense there are four. Two on the left side and two on the right. So lots of competition hopefully they’ll all get some football.”
Mikel Arteta faces a tough call in just what he does with his defence when everyone is fit.
Saliba and Gabriel will be the main two at the back, while Jurrien Timber is a starter when fit. Add in Riccardo Calafiori making left-back his own, and it becomes difficult for the others to get a minute.
Nevertheless, it’s a good problem for the Gunners boss to have and one he’ll have to deal with face on.
