Terry warns Saliba he may not reclaim Arsenal spot after Konsa signing

John Terry has warned that William Saliba may not reclaim his starting berth at Arsenal following the club’s signing of Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa, describing the England centre-back as potentially too good to drop once he settles in north London.

Saliba, 25, missed Arsenal’s opening fixture of the season after undergoing back surgery, with Cristhian Mosquera deputising in his absence. The Frenchman has been a cornerstone of the Gunners’ defence since establishing himself as a first-team regular four seasons ago — following loan spells at Saint-Etienne, Nice and Marseille — and was central to Arsenal’s Premier League title win last season.

But Terry, speaking to the FC Bullard TikTok channel, was unequivocal in his assessment of Konsa’s quality. Asked to name the best-value signing of the summer, the former Chelsea and England defender said: “I would go Ezri Konsa for Arsenal. That’s a massive signing. I think even when William Saliba is back fit, he doesn’t get back in the Arsenal team — I think Ezri Konsa is that good.”

Terry worked alongside Konsa during his time on the coaching staff at Aston Villa and offered a detailed breakdown of the 27-year-old’s strengths. “He’s so aggressive but also happy to play on the halfway line because if it goes in behind he’s quick enough to get there and recover,” he said. “He’s a really, really good player.”

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta confirmed the club’s enthusiasm for Konsa when the deal was announced, saying: “We just look to improve and do what’s right for us, and look at players we already have who can improve us. Ezri is certainly a player we really liked in the defensive line.”

Konsa himself has spoken of his willingness to fill multiple roles. “I like to build up from the back and I like to have a lot of the ball,” he said. “It’s Mikel’s style and from what I’ve seen from games, it’s the same way the defenders here play. So hopefully I can add a little bit more. I can do both jobs, right-back and centre-back, but wherever the manager wants to put me, I’ll always do a job and do my best.”

Konsa arrives having been a consistent performer for Villa across three successive European campaigns under Unai Emery, including the club’s Europa League triumph. His addition leaves Arsenal with considerable depth at centre-back, with Mosquera and Piero Hincapie also in contention, raising genuine questions over the pecking order once Saliba returns to full fitness.