Forget Vinicius Jr and Julian Alvarez, Ezri Konsa is the man to finally help Arsenal win the Champions League, says icon

BACARY SAGNA has tipped Ezri Konsa to be the missing piece that wins Arsenal the Champions League. Defender Konsa joined the Gunners in a £51million move from Aston Villa last week — and could make his debut against his former side at Villa Park on Monday. Ezri Konsa made a big-money move to Arsenal last week Credit: Getty Bacary Sagna reckons the defender could prove to be a game-changing signing Credit: Getty The England man’s arrival at Arsenal may not be the most glamorous transfer, particularly after the club spent the summer pining after superstars such as Vinicius Junior and Morgan Rogers. But the move was necessary for manager Mikel Arteta, who is expected to be without centre-back William Saliba for a lengthy portion of the season due to a back injury. Sign up for the Arsenal newsletter Thank you! Konsa, 28, has been brought in to fill the gap left in Saliba’s absence and to offer high-quality competition when the Frenchman returns. And former Arsenal right-back Sagna — who made 284 appearances for the Gunners up until 2014 — is convinced the rivalry Konsa will offer could be vital in the club’s quest to finally taste European success. Speaking to SunSport via prediction markets reviewer Action Network, Sagna, 43, said: “To be competitive, you need to have two players in each position and the season is long. “It’s not, of course, a competition inside the squad. The squad is genuine because all the players get on well together. “But to be competitive and successful, players need to understand that they need a back-up. “So whoever plays doesn’t lower the level of the team — and I think if Arsenal want to go for higher competitions and reach the dream, which is probably to win the Champions League, Konsa is the type of player you need to have. Most read in Sport SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET UP TO £100 BONUS “You need players with different profiles. Positions need to be covered and Mikel Arteta understands this.” Arteta has already splashed out on bringing Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge and Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes to North London this summer — and still hopes to bolster his attack before Tuesday’s deadline. But it could be Konsa who proves to be Arsenal’s most vital signing. The Gunners relied heavily on their defence to finally lift the Premier League title after a 22-year wait last season and may have to do so again this term. Arteta has built his foundations on a solid back line. That was evidenced by the fact that Saliba, Gabriel, Jurrien Timber and David Raya were all named in the PFA Team of the Year this week. Julian Alvarez has been on Arsenal’s radar Credit: Getty The Gunners also looked into an audacious move for Vinicius Jr Credit: Getty Despite their success, Konsa bettered all of Arsenal’s defenders last season regarding ground-duel and tackle success rates. He was also a key man in England’s World Cup squad this summer. Konsa’s combative style has made him one of the best defenders in the Premier League and it is a big reason why Sagna thinks he will be a success in N5. The Frenchman, who also played for Manchester City, added: “He has established himself with Aston Villa and with England. “I think he had a good tournament and he’s so good one-on-one. He’s not scared to be one-on-one. Konsa has been adjusting to his new surroundings Credit: Getty “He is good in challenges and duels — and this is what Arsenal need because most of the time, having possession of the ball exposes you — and you need this type of player who has the brain to defend in one-on-one situations. He’s one of them. “Having the ball and having so much possession is one thing but being able to defend one-on-one like Saliba has been doing, like Gabriel has been doing, like Konsa is able to do, I think it’s important for the squad.” Comment now