Ezri Konsa is hungry for more titles after completing his move from Aston Villa to Arsenal.
Konsa has signed a four-year deal with the Gunners after passing his medical, with Arsenal paying £51million with another £4m in potential add-ons to acquire his services. He will not be available for Arsenal’s Premier League opener against Coventry City on Friday but could make his debut against his former team at Villa Park a week on Monday.
The England international made 286 appearances for Villa after joining from Brentford in 2019, 231 of which came in the Premier League, establishing himself as one of the leading top-flight centre-halves over that period.
Konsa, whose versatility to also operate at right-back should be of great use to a side dealing with injuries to William Saliba and Jurrien Timber, won his first major trophy last season as he helped Villa to glory in the Europa League.
And he is relishing the chance to compete for more silverware with the defending Premier League champions.
“I’m super excited. It’s a privilege to be here and can’t wait to get started,” Konsa told Arsenal’s official website.
“I want to keep winning, I’m hungry to win and that’s what I’m here for. It’s a proud moment for me and my family to play for one of the best teams in the world.
“That’s what I’m here for, to win. Hungry for more. I had a taste of it last season with the Europa League and I want to go for it all.
“I’m very proud [of his time at Aston Villa]. Very grateful for what they did for me in my career, joining them as a boy and left as a man. I’m excited to get going at Arsenal and can’t wait to get started.”
Mikel Arteta’s men conceded just 27 goals last season en route to a first Premier League title for 22 years, and Konsa is hopeful he can further solidify the division’s best backline.
“The chemistry they have, they all want to defend for each other, the love they have for defending, they love keeping the ball out of the net which is what you have to do as a defender,” Konsa said of Arsenal’s defence.
“But I just love the way they are together. What they’ve built over the past few years has been special.
“I like to build up from the back and I like to have a lot of the ball. It’s Mikel’s style and from what I’ve seen from games, it’s the same way the defenders here play. So hopefully I can add a little bit more.
“It’s good being versatile. I can do both jobs, right-back and centre-back, but for me ultimately, wherever the manager wants to put me is, I’ll always do a job and do my best.”
