Martin Keown warns William Saliba faces fight to reclaim Arsenal spot after Ezri Konsa’s impressive start

William Saliba could face an unexpected battle to reclaim his place in Arsenal’s starting line-up when he returns from injury, with former Gunners defender Martin Keown warning that Ezri Konsa has strengthened his case for a regular role alongside Gabriel.

Saliba has yet to feature this season after sustaining a back injury at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with his return to competitive action potentially delayed until January 2027.

The French defender’s absence has provided Konsa with an opportunity to establish himself at the heart of Mikel Arteta’s defence, and the Aston Villa signing has responded with performances that have impressed Keown.

Konsa has formed an effective partnership with Gabriel, raising questions about whether Saliba will automatically regain his place once he is fit again.

Konsa gives Arteta a selection headache

The England international has made an immediate impression since arriving from Aston Villa, building a promising understanding with Gabriel as Arsenal continue their Premier League campaign.

Both centre-backs were on target in Arsenal’s 2-0 home victory over Everton, with Konsa scoring his first goal for the club in a performance that further strengthened his position in the defensive pecking order.

The result underlined the growing contribution of the new partnership and provided another reason for Arteta to consider his options carefully when Saliba returns.

Keown believes Konsa has done enough to ensure that the competition for places will be far from straightforward, despite Saliba’s established reputation and previous performances for the North London club.

The former Arsenal defender pointed to the quality of the centre-back options available to Arteta, highlighting the challenge facing Saliba after his prolonged spell on the sidelines.

“The two of them – Gabriel and Saliba – were on the Ballon d’Or list of the best defenders in world football.

“And Konsa’s come in, and he’s not been overshadowed at all by the people he’s played alongside.”

Saliba faces battle to regain his place

Saliba’s absence has opened the door for Konsa to demonstrate his ability in an Arsenal shirt, and the Frenchman could return to a different defensive landscape from the one he left behind.

Before his injury, Saliba was a key figure in Arteta’s backline, forming a highly regarded partnership with Gabriel. Their performances had established them among the most prominent defensive pairings in European football.

However, Konsa’s emergence has given Arsenal another credible option, potentially forcing Arteta to make a difficult decision once his squad is fully fit.

The manager must weigh Saliba’s previous importance against Konsa’s recent performances and the understanding the England international has developed with Gabriel.

A return in January would also leave Saliba needing to regain match fitness and rhythm after an extended period without competitive football, adding another consideration to his efforts to reclaim a starting position.

While Saliba’s quality is not in question, Keown’s assessment suggests that his status alone may not guarantee an immediate return to the starting eleven.

Arteta’s defensive options strengthen

Arsenal’s growing depth at centre-back could prove valuable as they navigate the demands of domestic and European football.

Gabriel remains an important presence in the defensive line, while Konsa’s performances have given Arteta an alternative capable of competing for a regular starting role.

For Saliba, the immediate priority will be recovering fully from his back injury before attempting to re-establish himself in the team.

His eventual return will present Arteta with a welcome selection dilemma, but the Frenchman may have to work his way back into the side rather than expect his place to be restored automatically.

Konsa’s impressive introduction has ensured that Arsenal’s defensive competition remains intense, leaving the manager with a significant decision to make when Saliba is available again.