John Terry says Ezri Konsa can make William Saliba fight for Arsenal return

John Terry believes William Saliba could struggle to regain his place in Arsenal’s starting line-up after the club strengthened their defence by signing Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa.

Saliba was a regular starter for Arsenal last season and helped the club win the Premier League title. However, the France international missed their opening match of the current campaign after undergoing surgery to address a back problem.

Christian Mosquera replaced Saliba in that game, while Piero Hincapie was named among the substitutes.

Arsenal increased their options at centre-back last week by completing the signing of Konsa from Aston Villa. Terry, who worked with the England defender at the Midlands club, believes the new arrival could make Saliba’s path back into the first team particularly difficult.

Asked by the FC Bullard channel on TikTok to name the best-value signing of the summer transfer window, former Chelsea captain Terry selected Konsa as his choice for Arsenal.

“I would choose Ezri Konsa for Arsenal,” Terry said.

“It is a huge signing. I think even when William Saliba returns to full fitness, he will not regain his place in the Arsenal team, and I think Ezri Konsa is that good.”

Terry added: “I worked with him at Aston Villa and he is a player with a lot of strength and aggression, but he is also happy to play on the halfway line because if the ball goes in behind him, he is quick enough to get there and recover his position. He is a very good player, very good.”

Saliba, 25, joined Arsenal in 2019 but only became a regular member of the club’s first-team squad during the past four seasons. Before establishing himself in north London, he spent loan spells with Saint-Etienne, Nice and Marseille.

Konsa, meanwhile, had been a key player for Aston Villa. The Midlands club won the Europa League with him in the side, and he also played in European competitions for three seasons under manager Unai Emery.

The arrival of Konsa gives Arsenal another established option in central defence at a time when Saliba is recovering from injury. Terry’s assessment suggests the competition for places may remain intense even after the Frenchman is declared fully fit.

Konsa’s versatility and recovery pace were central to Terry’s praise. The former Chelsea defender highlighted his willingness to defend high up the pitch, as well as his ability to recover when opponents attempt to exploit the space behind him.

Saliba’s established role over recent seasons means he remains an important part of Arsenal’s squad, but Terry believes Konsa’s qualities could alter the defensive hierarchy at the club.

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