Rio Ferdinand has claimed that Mikel Arteta now has a 'huge problem' at Arsenal, as the return to fitness of William Saliba threatens to displace the in-form summer signing Ezri Konsa from the heart of the Gunners' defence.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, as reported by Metro on 9 November, the former Manchester United and England defender argued that Konsa's commanding performances since his £55 million move from Aston Villa have created a selection headache that Arteta will, in truth, be delighted to have.
Ferdinand's verdict: an 'immovable object' in the Arsenal back four
Konsa, an England international, has settled into the Arsenal side with a composure that has surprised even seasoned observers. Ferdinand, a six-time Premier League winner, was effusive in his assessment of the 28-year-old.
'Mikel Arteta has got a problem, he's got a huge problem now,' Ferdinand said.
'What is he going to do when William Saliba is fit? Ezri Konsa has come into that back-four and he looks like he's been there for ten years.'
'He looks like an immovable object in that team. That's what it feels like because he's just slid in there and taken that place. He looks dominant, aggressive and accustomed to wearing the Arsenal shirt.'
Ferdinand's admiration for Konsa is not new. He recently admitted that he had wanted his former club Manchester United to sign the defender, a confession reported across the football media, including LiveScore's coverage of his comments, in which he described Konsa as a 'top, top player' who has given Arteta 'some big decisions to make and big headaches'.
Why Saliba's return complicates matters
The irony at the heart of Ferdinand's argument is that the 'problem' is caused by the recovery of a player widely regarded as one of the finest centre-backs in Europe. Saliba, 25, has not featured for Arsenal at all this season after returning from last summer's World Cup with a back injury.
The French defender avoided surgery and is now closing in on a comeback. He featured in the matchday squad for Arsenal's Champions League fixture against Slavia Prague last week, and the club hope he will be available for selection after the November international break.
Whether Arteta immediately restores Saliba to the starting eleven, however, remains an open question. Konsa has helped Arsenal open up a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League, and the defending champions remain unbeaten in the early stages of their Champions League campaign. Dropping a defender in such form would be a bold call, even for a coach with Arteta's reputation for decisiveness.
'It's a problem but it's a problem that I hope Mikel Arteta will enjoy because he's got two top centre-backs vying to be in the team,' Ferdinand said.
'It's a good position to be in. I think we will see Konsa sometimes playing right-back.'
Arsenal winning 'ugly' and the title race
Ferdinand, who backed Arsenal to retain the Premier League trophy before a ball was kicked this season, has seen nothing in the opening months to change his mind. Indeed, he argued that Arsenal's capacity to win while performing below their best is the most ominous sign for their rivals.
'I thought they would win it anyway. I said that before a ball was kicked,' he said.
'But the way Man City, Liverpool and Chelsea are playing... everyone is doing their best not to even challenge at the moment.'
'Arsenal are finding ways to win football matches without playing their best football and that spells trouble for the rest of the teams. If you're winning games ugly, imagine when you click and hit form.'
His one reservation concerns the forward line. 'The defence and midfield is top tier. The level drops off a bit in the forward areas, especially with Bukayo Saka not being there, but they look strong.'
Arteta demands more despite Hull victory
Arsenal's final match before the international break offered a case study in Ferdinand's thesis. Martin Odegaard's second-half goal secured a narrow 1-0 win over newly promoted Hull City, a result that extended the lead at the summit but hardly flattered the performance.
Arteta, characteristically, refused to settle for the three points alone.
'We can still be much better, and we will improve in many phases, and we will get certain relationships to a different level that will be even more efficient,' the Arsenal manager told reporters.
'That's the next step, to have bigger margins and when we have them, the opportunities, put them away to make sure that we don't have to hang in there the last few minutes.'
When the Premier League resumes, Arsenal travel to St James' Park to face Newcastle United, a fixture that has produced drama in recent seasons and will offer a clearer measure of whether this side can combine efficiency with the fluency that carried them to last season's title.
What happens next for Saliba and Konsa?
The immediate question is one of personnel rather than philosophy. If Saliba is fit for the trip to Newcastle, Arteta must decide whether to break up a defensive partnership that has underpinned a five-point lead, or ease his returning star back gradually, perhaps via cup competitions or substitute appearances.
Ferdinand's suggestion that Konsa could occasionally deputise at right-back offers a partial solution, allowing both defenders minutes without weakening the spine of the team. Whatever the manager decides, the depth now available to him is a luxury few rivals can match.
When will William Saliba return for Arsenal?
Saliba is expected to be available after the November international break. He was named in the squad for the Champions League match against Slavia Prague and has avoided surgery on the back injury he sustained after the World Cup.
How much did Arsenal pay for Ezri Konsa?
Arsenal signed Konsa from Aston Villa for £55 million last summer, and he has since established himself as a first-choice centre-back under Mikel Arteta.
Who did Rio Ferdinand back for the Premier League title?
Ferdinand predicted before the season began that Arsenal would win the Premier League, and he has reiterated that view, citing their ability to win matches without hitting top form.