Rio Ferdinand has declared that Arsenal's imminent £51 million signing of Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa solidifies his view that the club are favourites to win the Premier League again this season. The former Manchester United defender made the prediction after the Gunners agreed an initial fee for the 28-year-old defender, who is set to undergo a medical in the coming days.
Arsenal's defensive reinforcement
Mikel Arteta was keen to add defensive depth this summer, with Jurrien Timber and William Saliba both ruled out for the start of the season due to injury. Arsenal identified Konsa as their primary target and have now reached an agreement with Aston Villa for a transfer worth an initial £51 million, plus potential add-ons. Konsa becomes Arsenal's fourth summer signing, joining Illan Meslier, Christos Tzolis, and Bruno Guimaraes.
Analysing the move on his YouTube channel, Ferdinand said: "I think this is a magnificent signing. A player in his prime who knows exactly who he is and what he is. There's no frills about him. He's a solid, really, really, really good Premier League defender."
Ferdinand's verdict on the deal
Ferdinand described the fee as "an absolute steal in today's market" and highlighted Konsa's versatility. He added: "28 years old, minimum four or five years of really, really solid, dependable service, and he provides vital cover in two areas: centre-half and right-back. You've got Ben White, who seems fit now, but has had injuries in the right-back area. You've got Timber, who hasn't been able to stay fit as well, and William Saliba's injury concerns as well."
Ferdinand continued: "He's going to be great cover. Someone who can come in there and just play straight away, no questions asked. And that versatility at the top level, the reliability as well, both right-back and centre-half, absolute steal."
Title defence and predictions
Arsenal begin their Premier League title defence on Friday against newly-promoted Coventry City at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners have already set a marker with a comprehensive win over Manchester City in the Community Shield last weekend. Ferdinand believes Konsa's arrival strengthens their position: "If you go and get him, that just reinforces why I think Arsenal are going to go and win the league again, because it's a sensible and very good signing."
Ferdinand's former England teammate Michael Owen shares this sentiment, calling another Arsenal title win virtually "set in stone." Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, Owen said: "Arsenal only have to stand still and they win the Premier League again. I can't see anyone jumping out of the pack and getting 85 points whereas Arsenal are pretty much guaranteed to hit that number again. They're such a steady team with such a good goalkeeper and defence, I just can't see the wheels falling off."
Owen added: "They're just guaranteed to post a number, it won't be a number that Man City or Liverpool hit in the past but I just can't see anyone matching them. There's too many questions over the others teams, there's questions everywhere this season with all the new managers bar Arsenal. They will be steady and get mid to late 80s and I don't think anyone can beat that. I think there's more question marks over this season than ever before, which is why I think Arsenal are just set in stone to win the Premier League."
