‘He’s available’ – Mikel Arteta confirms Ezri Konsa fit for Arsenal debut against former club Aston Villa

Ezri Konsa is available for selection for Arsenal’s Premier League clash against Aston Villa on Monday night, with Mikel Arteta insisting the defender’s return to Villa Park is not a concern.

The 28-year-old completed a £51 million move to Arsenal last week after six years at Aston Villa, where he established himself as one of the Premier League’s most reliable defenders and earned international recognition with England.

Konsa has trained well since joining the Premier League champions and could now make his competitive debut against the club where he spent the bulk of his career.

Arteta has no concerns over emotional return

“He’s available. He’s been training really well so I think he will be available for selection,” Arteta said at his press conference on Thursday.

The Arsenal manager was also asked whether Konsa’s first appearance could come against his former employers at Villa Park, but Arteta dismissed any suggestion that the occasion could affect the defender.

“That’s nothing that concerns me,” Arteta added. “If I see something different in the player, maybe I question that.

“(But) the way I have seen Ezri from day one, knowing his personality well and with all the feedback I get from the people who have worked with him, that’s nothing that concerns me.”

Konsa’s potential inclusion gives Arteta another defensive option ahead of the trip to Unai Emery’s side.

The England international could operate at right-back, potentially displacing Ben White, or feature centrally alongside Gabriel. Cristhian Mosquera started in central defence with Gabriel during Arsenal’s 3-0 opening-day victory over Coventry City.

Guimaraes faces fitness test

Arsenal could also welcome Bruno Guimaraes back into contention, although Arteta remains cautious over the midfielder’s fitness.

Guimaraes is recovering from a groin issue and has had his workload carefully managed in recent days. Arteta confirmed that the summer signing is training but said the club will assess him before making a decision.

“He’s out on the pitch, he’s doing training sessions,” the manager said. “But we need to manage a lot to get (Guimaraes) to Monday in the best possible condition to be able to get selected.”

Guimaraes featured for the first half of Arsenal’s Community Shield victory over Manchester City but was subsequently left out of the squad for the opening league fixture against Coventry.

Jesus and Martinelli situations continue

Meanwhile, Gabriel Jesus did not train with the first team on Thursday as Arsenal continue to manage his situation.

The Brazilian forward, whose contract runs until June 2027, was not involved against Coventry, with Arteta indicating that squad numbers and individual circumstances are influencing the club’s approach.

“It’s something to do with the numbers that we have in the squad at the moment and the way we’re managing that kind of situation individually with all the players that have some personal situations,” Arteta said.

Gabriel Martinelli’s future is also under scrutiny amid interest from Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal.

The 25-year-old was seen leaving Arsenal’s training session ahead of his teammates on Thursday, further fuelling speculation over his immediate future.

Arteta, however, maintained that the club remains committed to handling the matter collectively.

“Again, that’s another personal situation that we are dealing with,” Arteta added. “Everybody knows and recognises how much we love Gabi. And whatever the outcome is, it will be because everybody agrees to that.”

For now, Arsenal’s immediate focus is on Villa Park, where Konsa could begin a new chapter of his career against the club that helped establish him at the highest level.