Ezri Konsa joins Arsenal from Aston Villa to boost top-flight title defence bid

Arsenal have laid down a significant statement in their bid to retain the Premier League title by completing the £51million signing of England defender Ezri Konsa.

Konsa, 28, joins from Aston Villa on a four-year deal with the option of another 12 months and takes Arsenal’s summer spending to £160m with further transfers – including Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez – not ruled out by the champions.

Konsa, who started seven of England’s eight matches at the World Cup, was earmarked by the Arsenal hierarchy after William Saliba was sidelined for a significant period with a back injury. Doubts also remain over Jurrien Timber’s fitness following a long-term groin problem.

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The arrival of Konsa – who can operate at both right-back and centre-half – comes as a major boost to Arsenal’s title defence, which begins at home to Coventry at the Emirates Stadium on Friday night.

It is anticipated that Konsa will be paraded on the Emirates turf prior to his new side’s opener against the Sky Blues.

The defender is poised to make his debut against his former employers when Arsenal face Aston Villa at Villa Park a week on Monday.

“It’s a privilege to be here and I can’t wait to get started,” said Konsa, who clinched the Europa League with Villa last season.

“I want to keep winning, I’m hungry to win and that’s what I’m here for. I’ll do everything in my power to continue bringing success to this club.

“It’s a proud moment for me and my family to play for one of the best teams in the world. A lot of emotions have gone through my head, but I think it will really kick in on the first matchday.”

Villa and Arsenal had been apart in valuation for the England international, but