Arsenal weigh up Ezri Konsa and Jarell Quansah transfers amid injury crisis
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has refused to be drawn on rumours linking the club with Ezri Konsa and Jarell Quansah, but confirmed he wants to strengthen his squad following key defensive injuries.
The Gunners raise the curtain on their season against FA Cup winners Manchester City in the Community Shield at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on Sunday.
They will begin the new campaign without two of their primary central defenders.
William Saliba is facing months on the sidelines with a back problem sustained at the World Cup, while Jurrien Timber is recovering from a knee issue.
Defensive reinforcements required
The North London club are actively exploring significant investments at centre-back to plug these newly formed gaps.
Aston Villa’s Konsa has emerged as a renewed target over recent days.
Bayer Leverkusen defender Quansah is also reportedly on the radar, with both players capable of operating at right-back and centrally.
When pressed on the England international pair, the manager chose to focus on the broader ambitions of the club.
“You know I am not going to talk about an individual but what I can obviously tell you is the ambition of the club,” he said.
“It is big that we want to improve the squad, we want to evolve the squad, in order to achieve.”
Departures remain a possibility
The Spanish tactician also hinted that the transfer window could still yield outgoings over the coming fortnight.
Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus and Fabio Vieira have all been linked with moves away from Emirates Stadium.
“There is an opportunity to go both ways, we have to see how the market responds and what as a club, we can do,” he added.
Providing a medical update on his absent stars, the former midfielder offered a positive outlook on Timber’s rehabilitation.
The Dutchman has returned to the grass and is currently ramping up his workload, though a return before September’s international break remains uncertain.
Conversely, the prognosis for the French centre-back is much bleaker, with the medical team managing a long-term injury.