Mikel Arteta eyes Konsa and Quansah as Arsenal face defensive crisis

Arsenal head into the Community Shield against FA Cup winners Manchester City on Sunday at Cardiff's Principality Stadium while manager Mikel Arteta grapples with the loss of first‑choice centre‑backs William Saliba and Jurrien Timber, prompting a public search for replacements such as Ezri Konsa and Jarell Quansah.

Saliba is sidelined with a back problem sustained at the World Cup that will keep him out for months, and Timber is returning from a knee issue that has limited his training.

The season‑opening clash pits Arsenal against Manchester City, the FA Cup champions, at the Principality Stadium, marking the first competitive test for both sides.

Transfer targets to plug gaps

Arsenal are exploring significant investment in central defence, with renewed interest in Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa and Bayer Leverkusen defender Jarell Quansah, both capable of playing at right‑back as well as centre‑back.

Arteta declined to name individuals but stressed the club’s ambition to improve and evolve the squad, saying, “It is big that we want to improve the squad, we want to evolve the squad, in order to achieve.”

Potential departures and squad reshuffle

He also hinted that the transfer market could see players leave, linking Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus and Fabio Vieira with possible moves away.

Arteta added, “There is an opportunity to go both ways … we have to see how the market responds and what as a club, we can do.”

Regarding injuries, Arteta noted Timber is “progressing really well” and on the pitch, but a return before the September international break remains uncertain, while Saliba faces a “more long‑term injury.”

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