The defender arrives from Aston Villa to strengthen Arsenal’s back line as they get ready to defend their Premier League title.
Arsenal have completed the signing of Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa, adding an experienced England international to Mikel Arteta‘s defensive options ahead of the new Premier League season.
The 28-year-old arrives after establishing himself as one of the Premier League’s most reliable defenders during his time at Villa, with the ability to play at both centre-back and right-back giving Arsenal added depth and flexibility across the back line.
Sporting Director, Andrea Berta said: “We’re delighted to have completed the signing of Ezri Konsa.
“Ezri is a defender of high quality, whose athleticism, composure and tactical intelligence have established him as one of the Premier League’s most consistent performers. Being comfortable in both central defence and at right-back, Ezri will bring valuable versatility to our squad while maintaining the high defensive standards which are fundamental to our challenge of winning major trophies.
“We are welcoming a player with proven Premier League and international experience, and strong leadership qualities, who will adapt seamlessly to our style of play. Just as importantly, we are welcoming a player with the character and mentality to make an immediate impact within our club.
“We welcome Ezri and his family to Arsenal.”
Konsa began his senior career with Charlton Athletic before earning a move to Brentford in 2018. A year later he joined Aston Villa, where he developed into a key figure in the club’s defence, featuring regularly in both domestic and European competition.
His performances also earned international recognition, with Konsa making his senior England debut in March 2024. He now arrives at Arsenal as an established Premier League defender with extensive top-flight experience.
“I’m super excited,” he told Arsenal.com. “It’s a privilege to be here and can’t wait to get started.
“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.
He looks delighted to be here
— Met (C) 🏆 (@afcmet.bsky.social) 21 August 2026 at 16:13
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“I’m very proud [of my 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.”
“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.”
Konsa’s versatility is expected to be a valuable asset for Arteta over the course of the campaign, especially with William Saliba‘s back injury likely ruling him out until December or January and Jurrien Timber‘s troublesome groin issues. While naturally a centre-back, he has also demonstrated his ability to operate on the right side of defence, providing another experienced option within Arsenal’s back line.
The move brings to an end a seven-year spell at Aston Villa, where Konsa progressed from a promising Championship defender into an England international and one of the Premier League’s most consistent performers.
At his pre-match press conference earlier in the day, Unai Emery told reporters, “I am delighted with everything we did together. Some players are leaving – Konsa is close to leaving, and I am happy for him. I am for other players when they are leaving. Why? Because when we arrived here, they were performing up and down, not a lot at a high level, competing for something like we did after it.”
For Arsenal, the signing represents another significant addition to a squad aiming to compete for the biggest honours in both domestic and European competition this season.
Konsa will wear the number 15 shirt but does not appear to have been registered in time to be included in Arsenal’s squad for the opening game of their Premier League defence on Friday night against Frank Lampard‘s newly-promoted Coventry City.
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