Shearer names Arsenal summer signing his Premier League player of the season
Alan Shearer has handed Arsenal's Ezri Konsa a remarkable individual honour, naming the summer signing his Premier League player of the season so far.
Konsa joined Arsenal from Aston Villa this summer for a fee of around £55m, arriving with a reputation built over several impressive seasons at Villa Park and a World Cup appearance for England. The move was seen primarily as cover at centre back given William Saliba's injury, but the 29 year old has done far more than simply fill a gap.
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Speaking to Betfair, Shearer did not hold back in his praise. “I think the player of the season up to now has been Ezri Konsa,” Shearer said. “I just think when you look at the performances of Arsenal defensively, and look at his performances defensively, we haven't even really mentioned them missing William Saliba. The only time we've mentioned him is in the last two weeks and that's because everyone is thinking how is he going to get back in because Konsa has been that good.”
Ferdinand says Arteta has a 'problem'
Rio Ferdinand offered a similarly glowing assessment of Konsa's impact, suggesting his form has created a genuine selection headache for Mikel Arteta once Saliba returns to full fitness.
“Mikel Arteta has got a problem, he's got a huge problem now,” Ferdinand said. “What is he going to do when William Saliba is fit? Ezri Konsa has come into that back four and he looks like he's been there for ten years. He looks like an immovable object in that team. That's what it feels like because he's just slid in there and taken that place. He looks dominant, aggressive and accustomed to wearing the Arsenal shirt.”
Ferdinand added: “He looks like he belongs there. But let's not forget about Saliba and what he was doing when he was in the team. It's a problem but it's a problem that I hope Mikel Arteta will enjoy because he's got two top centre backs vying to be in the team. It's a good position to be in. I think we will see Konsa sometimes playing right back.”
Konsa has formed a solid partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes at the heart of Arsenal's defence this season, with the club sitting at the top of the Premier League table.
Shearer's title prediction
Looking at the wider title race, Shearer believes Brighton, rather than Manchester City, could emerge as Arsenal's biggest threat this season.
“Brighton could be Arsenal's main challenge to the title this season,” Shearer said. “I think Liverpool are in transition. Chelsea, same thing. They still have plenty of work to do with those football clubs. Brighton have been incredible. The football that they're playing, I mean, in Europe too, whether that will hinder them the longer the season goes on I don't know, but they're managing really well at the minute. I don't think they're going to go away. I think they'll be around for the majority of the season.”
With Saliba working his way back from injury, Arteta faces a genuine decision over how to balance his centre back options as Arsenal continue their pursuit of the title.
