“In their prime” Arteta expects Konsa to shine for Arsenal
Mikel Arteta is delighted to have added Ezri Konsa to his squad and expects the England defender to perform well for the team after joining in his prime.
It has become harder for Arsenal to add players to their squad because they must now sign players of the highest quality, having taken their game to a new level.
The Gunners have finally become champions, and the next stage is to dominate the Premier League and win European competitions. The wrong signing could therefore take them backwards.
They cannot afford that now and have to continue building the squad with top-quality stars who can make them better, which is a fitting description for Konsa.
He has consistently been one of the best defenders in the Premier League, and he won the Europa League with Aston Villa last season, so the Gunners want him to help take them to another level.
Arteta backs Konsa to make an impact
Because he is 28, some fans will question the decision to sign him, but Arsenal have recently backed players who are over 25 to perform well for the team. Arteta is certain they have signed Konsa at the perfect age for him to make an impact.
The defender also arrives with significant experience at the highest level, and Arsenal will expect him to use that experience to strengthen their defence. His arrival gives Arteta another quality option as the Gunners look to compete on multiple fronts.
Arteta believes Konsa’s age should not be viewed as a concern, particularly because the defender is still in his prime and can contribute for several years.
Konsa can strengthen Arsenal
He told Sky Sports:
“We’re looking at the squad as a whole. We have a really young defensive line.
“We’re getting a player who is 28 not 38, in their prime in the heart of the team. He will give us so much in the next few years.”
Arteta clearly believes Konsa can make an immediate contribution while also providing valuable experience to Arsenal’s young defensive line. The Gunners are now expected to benefit from having another established defender in their squad.
For Arsenal, the signing represents another step in their efforts to maintain their standards. With the club now aiming for further domestic and European success, Arteta will hope Konsa can prove to be another important addition to his squad.
