The Athletic reported that Konsa returned to Aston Villa for training on 17/8, having been granted extended leave following his participation in the 2026 World Cup.

Concurrently, Arsenal diligently worked with Aston Villa to finalize the transfer, with both clubs narrowing their valuation differences through owner-level discussions. On 19/8, the English defender bid farewell to his teammates at Villa Park and is scheduled for a medical examination at Arsenal today.

Manager Mikel Arteta notably favors players proficient in winning duels, a skill Konsa currently excels at. Last season, he boasted the Premier League's highest duel success rate at 73,1%, significantly surpassing Virgil van Dijk (70%), Gabriel (69,9%), and Sven Botman Joël Veltman (both at 68,8%).

Ezri Konsa celebrates a goal during Aston Villa's Europa League quarter-final first leg match against Bologna at Renato Dall'Ara stadium, Bologna, Italy, on 9/4. Photo: AFP

This summer, with William Saliba and Jurrien Timber sidelined by injuries, Arsenal prioritized reinforcing their defense. Their focus was on acquiring a player capable of covering both center-back and right-back positions. The Gunners currently utilize Cristhian Mosquera and Ben White as backup options. Both performed well in Arsenal's 3-0 victory over Man City in the English Super Cup, but White has faced recurring fitness concerns over the past two seasons, and Mosquera remains a developing talent.

Arsenal had previously shown interest in Bayer Leverkusen's center-back, Jarell Quansah, before opting for Konsa. Konsa was a key member of England's squad at the 2026 World Cup. He started every match until their 1-2 semi-final defeat against Argentina, a game he entered in the 72nd minute. While primarily a center-back, Konsa also played right-back after Quansah received a two-match suspension, a role he also performed at Aston Villa.

Konsa began his professional career at Charlton Athletic, later moving to Brentford before joining Aston Villa in 2019. Over the years, he has been a pivotal player under manager Unai Emery, contributing to Aston Villa's consistent challenge in the Premier League's top positions and their participation in European competitions. Last season, Konsa featured in 48 matches across all competitions, helping Aston Villa secure the Europa League title and finish fourth in the Premier League. He has scored 12 goals in 286 career appearances.

Ezri Konsa (left) celebrates a goal with Declan Rice during England's 6-4 victory over France at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, US, on 18/7. Photo: AFP

The decision to pursue Konsa underscores Arteta's commitment to defending the Premier League title. Rather than opting for a younger player, he targeted an experienced league veteran, expected to integrate swiftly into the tactical system.

During the World Cup, Dean Smith, who previously signed Konsa for both Brentford and Aston Villa, told BBC 5 Live that the defender's primary strengths are his "composure on the ball and excellent one-on-one defending capabilities".

While Konsa possesses many strengths, his playing time upon Saliba's return will be a point of interest. Saliba will undoubtedly be reintegrated gradually, prompting questions about Konsa's role once the French center-back achieves full fitness. Konsa's versatility as a right-back presents a significant advantage. However, he is accustomed to playing 80-90% of Aston Villa's minutes each season. The prospect of competing for trophies with Arsenal might encourage him to accept potentially reduced playing time later in the season.

Hong Duy