Rio Ferdinand has said Arsenal's imminent £51million signing of Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa reinforces his belief that the Gunners are favourites to win the Premier League again this season.
Mikel Arteta was desperate to add defensive reinforcements this summer, with Jurrien Timber and William Saliba both set to miss the start of the season through injury. Arsenal identified Konsa as their number-one target and have now reached an agreement with Aston Villa for an initial fee of £51million.
Konsa will undergo his medical in the coming days and becomes Arsenal's fourth new summer signing after Illan Meslier, Christos Tzolis and Bruno Guimaraes.
Ferdinand hails 'magnificent signing'
Analysing Konsa's move to the defending champions, Ferdinand told his YouTube channel: 'I think this is a magnificent signing. A player in his prime who knows exactly who he is and what he is.'
'There's no frills about him. He's a solid, really, really, really good Premier League defender.'
'Arsenal are advancing in talks with Konsa from Aston Villa for 51million pounds plus add-ons. I think it's an absolute steal in today's market.'
'28 years old, minimum four or five years of really, really solid, dependable service, and he provides vital cover in two areas: centre-half and right-back.'
'You've got Ben White, who seems fit now, but has had injuries in the right-back area. You've got Timber, who hasn't been able to stay fit as well, and William Saliba's injury concerns as well.'
'He's going to be great cover. Someone who can come in there and just play straight away, no questions asked. And that versatility at the top level, the reliability as well, both right-back and centre-half, absolute steal.'
Title defence and Owen's prediction
Arsenal will begin their title defence on Friday against newly-promoted Coventry City at the Emirates. The Gunners have already laid down a marker with their comprehensive win over Manchester City in the Community Shield last weekend.
Ferdinand believes the imminent arrival of Konsa only puts them in a stronger position to successfully defend their title this season. 'If you go and get him, that just reinforces why I think Arsenal are going to go and win the league again, because it's a sensible and very good signing,' he added.
Ferdinand's former England teammate Michael Owen shares his sentiment and believes another Arsenal title win is virtually 'set in stone' this season.
'Arsenal only have to stand still and they win the Premier League again,' Owen said on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast. 'I can't see anyone jumping out of the pack and getting 85 points whereas Arsenal are pretty much guaranteed to hit that number again.'
'They're such a steady team with such a good goalkeeper and defence, I just can't see the wheels falling off.'
'They're just guaranteed to post a number, it won't be a number that Man City or Liverpool hit in the past but I just can't see anyone matching them.'
'There's too many questions over the others teams, there's questions everywhere this season with all the new managers bar Arsenal.'
'They will be steady and get mid to late 80s and I don't think anyone can beat that.'
'I think there's more question marks over this season than ever before, which is why I think Arsenal are just set in stone to win the Premier League.'
