With William Saliba out, Ezri Konsa has grabbed his chance and is keeping Arsenal's backline tight when the pressure is on.
Arsenal were supposed to feel the loss of William Saliba. Instead, their defence has kept its shape, and a big part of the credit goes to Ezri Konsa.
Saliba is one of the Premier League's most complete centre-backs, so any absence is a test. Konsa has treated it as an opportunity. He has been composed in possession, reliable in one-on-one duels and sharp in reading danger before it develops.
The strength of Arsenal's back line has always been the understanding between its players, and Konsa has slotted into that system without forcing the issue. He has stuck to the basics: stay disciplined, communicate and win your battles. That has helped the team keep its identity even without its usual leader at the back.
For Konsa, this is a chance to show he belongs at the top level. Whenever Saliba returns, Mikel Arteta will have a welcome selection headache and a defender whose form has made him hard to ignore.
