Arsenal have just been presented with a chance to forget about Ezri Konsa

When it was announced that William Saliba would miss the opening months of the season with a back injury, there was a collective groan from Arsenal supporters the world over.

Gabriel Magalhaes may well have been the centre-back to get all of the plaudits last term as they won the Premier League but Saliba is the glue that binds everything together. He is arguably the most consistent player in his position in the world.

Replacing him will not be easy and it is why the Gunners have looked at making a signing in a bid to cover him and add extra competition.

A few options are being considered, one of which is Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa. The north Londoners have already made a bid but there is a big gap in the valuation Arsenal have compared to the Villans.

Konsa has impressed in the top-flight for a number of years now but after a bit of an iffy World Cup campaign with England, fans rightfully have doubts over signing him.

How Arsenal can forget about signing Ezri Konsa

Heading into the ongoing transfer window, it seemed unfathomable that Mikel Arteta would find a way to sign yet another defender.

However, here we are. Saliba is injured and they look light on the right-hand side of the defence.

Jurrien Timber remains out, leaving Ben White as the only first-team option at right-back. At right centre-back, they have cover in the form of Cristhian Mosquera but beyond that, their options are thin. White and Timber could both feature in that role but you can see why there would be an issue with that right now.

As a result, signing someone like Konsa feels like a necessity. Yet what if, deep within the Aresnal ranks, they do actually have their next Saliba already?

16-year-old Marli Salmon made his senior debut last term and has appeared regularly in pre-season. He has made an almighty impact too.

Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs

The teenager played 88 minutes against Como in the 1-1 draw on Wednesday evening and was arguably the Gunners’ best player. He completed 98% of his passes and won nine of his 13 duels. The centre-back was combative and he was classy on the ball.

For a defender as young as he is to demonstrate the qualities he did in midweek was incredible. As Arteta said post-game, “he picks things up really quick, he’s a very smart boy. He’s 16-years-old – some of the individual actions he did today [vs Como], I think he was exceptional.”

However good he is, you cannot exactly rely on such a young defender to carry you through the opening stages of the campaign. In Timber, Mosquera, White and Saliba, the Gunners should have enough cover to avoid signing Konsa.

That said, there may well be an even better option out there in the market. If there is, they must pursue it.

Arsenal’s dream Konsa alternative in the transfer market

With Aston Villa placing a £60m price tag on 28-year-old Konsa, it feels unlikely that Andrea Berta and Co will stretch to that for such a stop-gap signing.

REUTERS/Carlos Barria

As a result, alternatives could be looked at and in 23-year-old Spaniard, Marc Pubill of Atletico Madrid, they could find the perfect solution.

Pubill is certainly not a household name in England but he’s a smart player and there is a genuine chance he could move to the Emirates Stadium this summer. Speaking on YouTube, Fabrizio Romano provided the latest on Arsenal’s pursuit of a new defender.

He said: “Arsenal will sign a centre-back. On Jules Kounde, there is no bid so far. The situation remains quiet around Kounde. There are two different situations. One is Konsa. He is really appreciated by Arsenal and remains a player they are having negotiations for on club and player side. Another name really appreciated is Marc Pubill. Arsenal have had some contact to understand the price and to try and understand if there is a chance to sign him. But, Atletico Madrid want to keep him.”

Boasting a valuation around £68m, this may not be cheap either but considering his age, there is sell-on value there.

So, why is he so highly rated? Well, in the words of analyst Spencer Mossman he is “one of the best U23 centre-backs in Europe”. Compared to Konsa, he looks like a much better option.

One look at the key data for a modern centre-back and it is clear to see that Pubill simply wipes the floor with Konsa.

REUTERS/Hannah Mckay

Correctly described as a “monster in the air” by Mossman, the Atleti defender ranks among the finest 4% of positionally similar players in Europe’s top five leagues for aerial duels won per 90 minutes.

Arsenal have seen first hand the physicaility Pubill can bring to a game, notably relishing a tough battle with Viktor Gyokeres when the two teams faced each other in the Champions League last season.

Arteta was clearly left impressed and it is no surprise to see why. Compared with Konsa, he’s far more progressive with his actions and he’s a far more menacing defender to come up against.

Also capable of playing at right-back, just like the Aston Villa man, there is so much to like about Pubill. If Arsenal are going to sign a defender this summer, then they should be looking to force through a move for the World Cup winner instead.