Arsenal sign Konsa from Villa as Premier League holders bolster defence

England defender Ezri Konsa joins Arsenal from Aston Villa in a deal understood to be worth £51m ($69m).Premier League champions Arsenal have signed England defender Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa in a deal worth a reported £51m ($69m).Konsa agreed to a “long-term contract” with the Gunners just hours before they start their title defence against Coventry on Friday.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Northern Italy seeks to keep the pressure on the south as Serie A returnslist 2 of 4La Liga: The key talking points for Real Madrid before the 2026-27 seasonlist 3 of 4Top 10 players to watch in the 2026-27 European football seasonlist 4 of 4La Liga: Five key talking points heading into Barcelona’s 2026-27 seasonend of listThe 28-year-old’s arrival gives Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta a major boost as he aims to lead the club to successive Premier League titles.Konsa, who was a regular for England at the World Cup this year, will partner Gabriel Magalhaes at the heart of Arsenal’s defence in the absence of France international William Saliba, who is sidelined for several months with a back problem.Konsa could make his debut against his former employers when Arsenal travel to Villa on August 31.“It’s a privilege to be here and I can’t wait to get started,” Konsa said.“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,” he added.“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 match-day.”Konsa is expected to be paraded before Arsenal fans ahead of Friday’s clash with Coventry in the opening game of the top-flight season at the Emirates Stadium.“Ezri is a defender of high quality, whose athleticism, composure and tactical intelligence have established him as one of the Premier League’s most consistent performers,” Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta said.