No Saliba, no problem – Konsa stepping up for Arsenal

Arsenal's defensive form is testament to the performances of Ezri Konsa, who has stepped up in William Saliba's absence and been given his chance to shine. Ezri Konsa scored his first goal for Arsenal in Saturday's win over Everton When Arsenal confirmed in July that William Saliba would miss an "extended period" with a long-term back issue, you can forgive fans for panicking. The Frenchman has formed a formidable pairing with Gabriel Magalhaes as part of the Gunners' well-drilled backline that conceded just 27 league goals last season as they lifted the Premier League title. Eight games into the new season and Saliba still hasn't featured, but Mikel Arteta's side have conceded the fewest goals in the Premier League as they sit level on points at the summit.

That form is testament to the performances of Ezri Konsa, who has stepped up in Saliba's absence and been given his chance to shine. Before Arsenal signed the 29-year-old for £55m from Aston Villa in August, questions were asked. Is it too much money? Do the Gunners need him with Cristhian Mosquera already in the squad? Why bring in Konsa and not a forward? But now, the debate is whether Konsa and Gabriel are the best partnership in world football, not just the Premier League. Arsenal already had seven senior defenders on