Mikel Arteta reveals what he has noticed about Ezri Konsa and Gabriel Magalhaes behind the scenes
Ezri Konsa and Gabriel Magalhaes have formed a solid partnership at Arsenal.
The Gunners learned in the summer that William Saliba would miss several months due to a back injury he aggravated during the World Cup.
Arsenal had options like Cristhian Mosquera and Ben White to fill in, but Mikel Arteta decided to sign another elite centre-back in Konsa.
That has proved to be the right decision, as the Englishman has been fantastic alongside Gabriel at the back.
Mikel Arteta lifts lid on Gabriel Magalhaes and Ezri Konsa’s off-the-pitch chemistry
On paper, Ezri Konsa should’ve found it difficult at Arsenal.
William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes had formed the best centre-back partnership in Europe, and replacing either one of them was a monumental ask.
That is why Arteta sought a new centre-back instead of making do with what he already had available, and Konsa has exceeded expectations.
Of course, his quality and experience are among the reasons why, but Arteta has claimed that his relationship with Gabriel behind the scenes has also been a contributing factor.
The Arsenal boss said in his press conference, as per the club’s official website: “I heard some great things about Ezri before he joined, and when you have him daily, you just realise the magnitude of the player that we signed – not only the player but the person, the way he presents himself, the way he’s able to connect with people immediately.
“We talk about Big Gabi, when you see those two in the corridors talking, the way they interact with each other, it seems like they’ve been here for a long, long, long time together.
“That is great because that’s a partnership that, in my opinion, is extremely important on the field, and then his attributes and the quality that he delivers to the team are something that really makes us better.”
Ezri Konsa still has a point to prove at Arsenal
Konsa deserves all the praise in the world for how he has started at Arsenal. His performances so far have been nothing short of incredible.
The Gunners will need him to be at a similar level when they take on Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, and if he has a good game, three points become more likely.
Even personally for Konsa, every game is a test because the general feeling is that he will make way for Saliba once he returns from his injury. That almost feels certain despite his performances.
To keep his place in the side, the former Aston Villa star has to prove a point to Arteta that he is the man. He needs to make it impossible to be dropped.
It will not be easy because Saliba is arguably the best centre-back on the planet, but that has to be Konsa’s aim going forward.