Why Arsenal must splash £15m to sign Ezri Konsa from Brentford
According to The Sun, Arsenal are interested in signing Brentford defender Ezri Konsa. As per the tabloid, the Gunners are readying a £15million bid for the centre-back. Interestingly enough, Konsa signed for the Championship club from League One side Charlton Athletic in the summer transfer window as Brentford paid a fee of £2.85million for the England U21 international.
Arsenal’s scouting team are positive the youngster can step up to the Premier League like ex-Charlton players Rob Holding, Joe Gomez and Ademola Lookman (h/t The Sun).
Gomez has established himself as a mainstay in Jurgen Klopp’s title-chasing side. The 21-year-old is a full England international and has been part of Liverpool’s impressive defence. Holding, on the other hand, is enjoying a good run of games at Arsenal. He’s made 12 appearances in all competitions for Arsenal this term, starting 11 times. Lookman has also been impressive at Everton.
After a stuttering start to the post-Wenger era, Unai Emery’s side is currently on a 12-game unbeaten run. Arsenal are hot on the heels of fourth-placed Chelsea and are just one point below their London rivals. However, Arsenal’s defence will be a concern to their Spanish manager.
The Gunners have conceded 16 goals, three times more than what Manchester City or Liverpool have let in. The top two clubs have only conceded 5 times in 13 games. To put things into perspective, Arsenal have conceded the most goals of any side in the European qualification places.
Defensive improvement is needed to boost Arsenal’s chances of winning the league or perhaps, more realistically, a top-four finish. Emery is yet to settle with a specific back four. The Spaniard boss is still chopping and changing as players are adapting to the new tactics.
With Sokratis and, at times, Shkodran Mustafi struggling at the heart of the Arsenal defence, Ezri Konsa would be a great addition. Comfortable on the ball and able to pick a pass, Konsa can also dribble. The 21-year-old’s penchant for playing short passes make him a good fit for a side set up to play out from the back.
Ezri Konsa has made 17 appearances in the Championship for Brentford so far this season. Konsa has averaged 0.8 tackles, 1.4 interceptions, 3.6 clearances and 0.5 blocks per game.
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His impressive performances explain the previous interest in the young defender from Premier League sides. Everton and Brighton & Hove Albion were interested in signing Konsa in the summer before his move to the Championship.
Nevertheless, all signs are indicative of the fact that he would be a great addition to Arsenal in the January window.
