Emmanuel Petit has said he has been 'really impressed' by Ezri Konsa's form this season and believes the defender has given Mikel Arteta a potential selection 'headache' ahead of William Saliba's return.
Arsenal signed Konsa from Aston Villa in a £51million deal during the summer, after making Piero Hincapie's loan move from Bayer Leverkusen permanent. Konsa had helped Villa end their 44-year wait for a European trophy and arrived at the Emirates following an impressive World Cup campaign with England.
Konsa's Opportunity
The 28-year-old has played an integral role in the opening two months of the season due to Saliba's injury absence, with early signs suggesting Arteta views the England international as more than just a squad player. Gabriel Magalhaes and Saliba had been considered among the finest centre-back partnerships in world football.
This evening, Konsa could face his toughest test yet in an Arsenal shirt as the Gunners take on Bayern Munich in a Champions League contest at the Allianz Arena. Saliba is understood to be closing in on his return.
Petit's Verdict
'This is a good thing for Mikel Arteta and Arsenal. You're used to that when you've played for big clubs,' Petit told Betfred. 'You can't survive on just doing great things in the past, you need to do that every single week.'
'I know it's almost impossible to play well every single week, but if you can't do that regularly, then that's why you don't play for top clubs. I've been really impressed with Konsa and when Saliba returns, it will be a headache for Arteta, but this is a good thing for the club and this is what we call competition. This is what happens when you're top players and a top club.'
Petit, who won the Premier League title with Arsenal in 1998, added: 'Players need to rise to the next level mentally and you need competition in every single position. Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard know they need to keep playing at the highest level or they'll lose their place. This is what it is.'
Saliba's Recovery
Saliba has been working his way back to full match fitness after being forced off with a back problem in France's World Cup semi-final defeat to Spain in July. The 25-year-old, named in the PFA Team of the Year on four occasions, began running again last month and is targeting a return before the end of November.
'He knows he has to take his time,' Saliba's entourage told French newspaper L'Equipe. 'He's suffered too much and wants to come back at 100 per cent.'
