Rio Ferdinand has launched a staunch defence of Arsenal summer signing Ezri Konsa after the England centre-half produced another commanding display in Sunday’s 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest.
Eyebrows were raised ahead of the start of the new campaign when Mikel Arteta sanctioned a £55million deal to sign the versatile defender from Aston Villa.
The Gunners first title-winning campaign in 22 years was founded on their defensive solidity, underpinned by the partnership between Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba.
Arteta, however, moved quickly to source cover for the France international who suffered a serious back injury during Les Bleus’ World Cup semi-final defeat against Spain.
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Konsa started his Arsenal career firmly down the pecking order with Cristhian Mosquera preferred, but once he sustained an injury against Villa back in September the former Charlton star has seized his opportunity.
The 28-year-old starred in Sunday’s victory at the City Ground and produced a superb last minute tackle to deny Liam Delap what would have been a damaging equaliser.
‘The defenders like Konsa needed a pat on the back,’ Ferdinand told Rio Presents, assessing Arsenal’s latest win.
‘I saw Declan make a block near the end as well. The block Konsa made at the end of the game, oh my god that’s a matchwinner. He deserves a bump up in wages just for that alone.
‘Huge, huge moments. I see people try to hammer Konsa and say why have we bought Konsa? That’s why, because he’s consistent and he’s solid.’
Arteta, too, was delighted with the commitment and resoluteness typified by Konsa and his senior partner Gabriel.
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‘The win was not possible without them, because they have so much quality and physicality, having to constantly deal with what we predicted to be 50 balls in the air,’ he said.
‘I don’t know how many they had, but it would’ve been very close to that. And it’s not only that, it’s what happens after that ball and the consequences from that.
‘To be on it constantly, every action delivered is very tough. When you think it’s done, Wood and Hudson-Odoi come in and they start to have a different problem.
‘Now you are man-to-man with the two centre-backs. But that’s the Premier League, and the quality of it which makes it the best league in the world.’