Former Chelsea captain John Terry claims William Saliba will lose his Arsenal place following the club’s recent signing of defender Ezri Konsa.
The French international missed the opening game of the current campaign after undergoing surgery for a back issue.
In his absence, manager Mikel Arteta deployed Cristhian Mosquera, while fellow defender Piero Hincapie remained on the bench.
The Gunners bolstered their defensive ranks last week by completing a transfer for Konsa from Aston Villa.
Terry backs massive signing
Terry worked alongside the England international during his time on the coaching staff at Villa Park.
Speaking online, the former Blues skipper stated the new arrival is the best value signing of the summer transfer window.
“I think even when William Saliba is back fit, he doesn’t get back in the Arsenal team, I think Ezri Konsa is that good.”
“I worked with him at Aston Villa and he’s so aggressive but also happy to play on the halfway line because if it goes in behind he’s quick enough to get there and recover.”
Arteta seeks defensive improvement
Saliba has established himself as a cornerstone of the Arsenal defence over the past four seasons.
The 25-year-old was pivotal last year as the North London club finally ended their long wait to be crowned Premier League champions.
However, Arteta insists the addition of the former Villa man was necessary to compete with rival squads.
“We just look to improve and do what’s right for us, and look at players we already have who can improve us.”
“Ezri is certainly a player we really liked in the defensive line.”
Konsa ready for versatile role
During his time in the Midlands, the versatile defender helped Unai Emery’s side lift the Europa League trophy.
The new arrival is confident his ball-playing abilities will perfectly suit the tactical demands at Emirates Stadium.
“I like to build up from the back and I like to have a lot of the ball. It’s Mikel’s style and from what I’ve seen from games, it’s the same way the defenders here play.”
“It’s good being versatile. I can do both jobs, right-back and centre-back, but for me ultimately, wherever the manager wants to put me is, I’ll always do a job and do my best.”
Tottenham Hotspur head coach Roberto De Zerbi has called for patience after his much-changed side suffered a humbling 3-0 defeat away to Brentford on the opening weekend of the Premier League season.
Expectations were incredibly high heading into the new campaign following a lavish summer of spending by the north London club.
However, an intense and experienced Bees side overwhelmed the visitors, capitalising on disjointed pressing and chaotic defending.
The away side fielded four debutants in their starting line-up, while £85m summer signing Mateus Fernandes was later introduced from the substitutes’ bench.
Lack of cohesion exposed
The Italian manager admitted his squad were ill-prepared physically after a severely disrupted pre-season schedule.
Spurs fell three goals behind within 49 minutes, struggling to cope with the hosts’ suffocating high press.
Speaking after the match, the head coach stressed that his heavily altered squad has yet to forge an identity.
“I think we are not a team yet, for a lot of reasons.”
“You can’t become a team for the transfer market window. You become a team with the players. They find the connection between them, they find the spirit, they find the soul.”
Building a new identity
The Spurs boss opted to be cautious with the fitness of key personnel, including James Maddison, Dominic Solanke and Destiny Udogie.
With several players returning late from international duties, the starting line-up deployed in west London is unlikely to be used regularly as the season progresses.
Following successive 17th-place finishes in the top flight, an overnight transformation into a winning machine was always highly improbable.
The manager remains calm about the direction of the club but acknowledges there will be moments of suffering during this transitional period.
Further squad upheaval expected
A youthful defensive line featured three debutants alongside 20-year-old Archie Gray.
Despite making history as the youngest-ever club captain, the talented prospect was forced to operate out of position at right-back.
Further forward, a midfield pairing of Lucas Bergvall and Sandro Tonali struggled to plug gaps, leaving the attacking unit entirely isolated.
More transfer business is anticipated in the coming days as the recruitment team looks to overhaul their forward options.
Mikey Moore is expected to depart on loan, while moves for Manchester City duo Omar Marmoush and Savinho remain firmly on the agenda.
Chelsea are actively monitoring midfield replacements for Enzo Fernandez ahead of the 1 September transfer deadline amid sustained interest from Manchester City.
The Blues are largely focusing on outgoing deals after heavily investing in new recruits this summer, including a £117m move for Morgan Rogers.
However, Stamford Bridge executives are preparing for a potential late approach from the Premier League champions for their World Cup-winning midfielder.
Midfield contingency plans
An internal deadline for the Argentine’s departure has already passed, meaning any successful bid must now significantly exceed the club’s £120m asking price.
The west London side fear being forced to overpay for a successor in the final days of the window and have subsequently identified Bournemouth’s Alex Scott and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton as viable options.
Management are otherwise content with their squad following the recent arrivals of experienced figures such as Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck.
Potential outgoings and squad reshaping
Chelsea officials are eager to offload Nicolas Jackson and are reportedly holding out for a £65m fee for the forward.
Aston Villa are closely monitoring the situation as they prepare for the potential departure of Ollie Watkins to the Saudi Pro League.
Tosin Adarabioyo and Liam Delap have also been made available for transfer, although the latter’s £50m valuation may deter prospective buyers.
Goalkeeping stability
Despite persistent speculation linking the club with Porto’s Diogo Costa and Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez, Chelsea are not looking to recruit a new goalkeeper.
The hierarchy remain fully supportive of current options Robert Sanchez and Mike Penders.
Elsewhere, Juventus winger Francisco Conceicao is being considered as a potential attacking reinforcement should Pedro Neto depart before the window closes.
Napoli have turned their attention to Chelsea forward Marc Guiu after Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus rejected a summer move to the Italian club.
The Brazilian international has entered the final year of his contract at Emirates Stadium after falling down the pecking order.
Despite a potential departure from north London, the former Manchester City frontman has made it clear he does not wish to relocate to Serie A.
Allegri seeks attacking reinforcements
Having missed out on their primary target, the Italian giants are now heavily monitoring a £25m move for Guiu.
Newly appointed manager Massimiliano Allegri is determined to bolster his frontline following Romelu Lukaku’s recent switch to Galatasaray.
The Naples outfit have already secured Rasmus Hojlund on a permanent deal from Manchester United, but remain keen to add further firepower.
Funds could be raised by offloading Dutch winger Noa Lang, paving the way for a formal approach for the promising attacker.
Guiu faces uncertain future in London
The 20-year-old Spaniard joined the Stamford Bridge side from Barcelona in 2024 but has struggled for consistent domestic minutes.
His most notable contribution came during a triumphant Europa Conference League campaign in 2025, where he netted six times in seven appearances.
After a brief 26-day loan spell at Sunderland last season, the young prospect played just 527 minutes of football under the guidance of Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior.
First-team opportunities remain bleak under current head coach Xabi Alonso, who prefers Joao Pedro as his leading striker.
With veteran forward Danny Welbeck recently arriving as cover, the Spanish youngster faces steep competition to secure a starting berth.
European clubs monitor situation
The Premier League club value their promising talent at £25m, which would represent a significant profit on their initial £5m investment.
Securing his signature will not be straightforward for the Serie A runners-up, with clubs across Spain and Germany also expressing strong interest.
However, a strong working relationship already exists between the two teams after Benoit Badiashile completed a loan move to Italy earlier this window.
Arsenal have begun their quest to defend the Premier League title, but Mikel Arteta’s side face a formidable historic hurdle to secure back-to-back English championships.
The north London club opened their new domestic campaign with a commanding 3-0 victory over promoted Coventry City on Friday.
That strong league start followed an impressive 3-0 Community Shield triumph against Manchester City the previous Sunday.
However, retaining the top-flight crown is a rare feat the Gunners have not achieved since the 1934-35 season.
Even the legendary ‘Invincibles’ side managed by Arsene Wenger failed to retain the trophy following their undefeated 2003-04 campaign.
The weight of English football history
Since the top tier was rebranded in 1992, only three managers have successfully guided a team to consecutive championships.
Sir Alex Ferguson, Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola stand alone as the only bosses to master a successful modern title defence.
Former Leicester City defender Danny Simpson, who lifted the trophy in 2016, warned that becoming the reigning champions completely shifts the competitive landscape.
“Once you get that gold champions badge on your sleeve, everything changes. Everybody wants to beat you, and Arsenal will find that out quickly.” Danny Simpson
Simpson added that losing early momentum can permanently derail a campaign, recalling wise advice regarding title hangovers from his time under Ferguson.
Manager demands raised standards
Despite the overwhelming historical odds, the current manager has openly challenged his squad to rewrite the record books.
The Spaniard expressed a deep desire to replicate the emotions of last season’s triumph and create an enduring legacy at Emirates Stadium.
“We know the difficulty of the task. We’ve never done it at this club, to win it again.” Mikel Arteta
“We know that it’s going to demand something special, and we are ready for it.” Mikel Arteta
Rivals stumble in opening weekend
The current title holders have already been handed an early boost following unconvincing opening-weekend performances from their closest challengers.
Liverpool were held to a draw at Newcastle United, while Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur suffered heavy early defeats.
Manchester City required a late fightback to overcome AFC Bournemouth, leaving the league leaders in a strong early position.
Maintaining this relentless momentum will now be the ultimate test for the capital club as they navigate a gruelling 38-game season.
Five SC Cambuur supporters have suffered burns and eye injuries after Feyenoord fans threw fireworks into the home sections during Sunday’s Eredivisie match in Leeuwarden.
The Dutch top-flight fixture was suspended for approximately 20 minutes in the first half after away supporters ignited numerous red flares.
Several pyrotechnic devices were launched directly at rival spectators.
One explosive detonated on the pitch just metres away from visiting goalkeeper Tjark Ernst.
Feyenoord condemn unacceptable scenes
Robert Eenhoorn, the Rotterdam club’s general manager, strongly criticised the chaotic disruption caused by their own travelling faithful.
“Our own goalkeeper had a flare fired at him and only just managed to avoid it,” Eenhoorn stated.
In a statement released on Monday, the hosts confirmed five individuals required medical attention for various ailments including hearing damage.
The Frisian club pledged to collaborate with local authorities to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.
“It should be clear that setting off and firing fireworks is completely unacceptable and has no place in a football stadium whatsoever,” a club spokesperson added.
Protocol review follows resuming play
The match was eventually completed despite the distressing scenes in the stands.
Under current Dutch regulations, the fixture would only have been permanently abandoned if a player or match official had been struck by the projectiles.
Jan Bluyssen, manager of professional football competition affairs for the KNVB, admitted that this specific regulation may now need updating.
“That doesn’t feel right. We need to examine whether the protocol is still appropriate and how we might want to adjust it,” Bluyssen told Dutch news agency ANP.
Leeuwarden mayor Foort van Oosten has also promised a full investigation into the security breaches at the Cambuur Stadion.
Recent history of Dutch crowd trouble
The visiting side ultimately secured a 5-2 victory to maintain their unbeaten start to the domestic campaign.
Meanwhile, the newly promoted hosts find themselves rooted to the bottom of the table after losing all three of their opening fixtures.
This latest incident follows a troubling trend of pyrotechnic misuse within the Netherlands’ premier football division.
Last season, an Eredivisie clash between Ajax and Groningen was entirely abandoned after spectators repeatedly threw flares onto the playing surface during the opening minutes.
Former defender Jamie Carragher has heavily criticised Liverpool’s midfield structure after they were repeatedly exposed on the counter-attack during a 2-2 Premier League draw with Newcastle United.
The Reds required a last-minute penalty to salvage a point after trailing for the majority of the contest at St James’ Park.
However, it was the team’s glaring vulnerability in transition that drew the ire of their former centre-back.
Midfield balance questioned
Operating without a traditional defensive anchor, the Merseyside club struggled to contain rapid breakaways throughout the match.
The tactical setup left Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai exposed as opposing runners frequently bypassed the centre of the pitch.
Taking to social media, the Sky Sports pundit voiced his immense frustration at the recurring tactical flaw.
“LFC midfield all bombing forward happened all pre-season, madness!”
Vulnerability on the transition
Following another sweeping move that allowed Joe Willock to capitalise and score, the 46-year-old reiterated his strong stance.
“Again! This midfield cannot work, I said it before a competitive ball was kicked.”
During their most successful period under former manager Jurgen Klopp, the Anfield side relied on a pragmatic trio of Fabinho, Georginio Wijnaldum, and Jordan Henderson.
That balanced combination has never been fully replaced, leading to an increasingly open and frantic style of play.
End-to-end chaos
Speaking before the campaign began, the Champions League winner warned that elite squads do not survive by playing basketball-style matches.
“Liverpool have too many attacking players on the pitch, they just want to bomb forward. No top team plays football like that.”
The latest defensive lapses will undoubtedly intensify scrutiny on the tactical choices being made in the Anfield dugout.
Newcastle United are in the final stages of agreeing a deal to sign Manchester City midfielder Nico Gonzalez as they seek a replacement for Bruno Guimaraes.
The Magpies have endured a challenging summer transfer window which recently culminated in the departure of former manager Eddie Howe.
New head coach Matthias Jaissle oversaw an opening-weekend draw against Liverpool, but midfield reinforcements remain an urgent priority at St James’ Park.
City willing to sanction exit
The Spanish prospect has fallen down the pecking order at the Etihad Stadium and was omitted from Enzo Maresca’s starting lineup for their opening fixture.
Despite key departures leaving the Manchester club depleted in the middle of the pitch, the 22-year-old remains surplus to requirements.
“Unless Rodri, the rest all have in common one thing, they didn’t play a lot. When they don’t play they prefer to leave.”Enzo Maresca
The Citizens have already lost Bernardo Silva and Tijjani Reijnders this summer, and are currently waiting on the impending arrival of Ayyoub Bouaddi.
Versatility appeals to Magpies
Bringing in a capable successor to the departed Guimaraes is viewed as crucial for the Tyneside club to stabilise their campaign.
The former Porto loanee offers valuable tactical flexibility, having previously been praised for his adaptability by former manager Pep Guardiola.
“He can play as a holding midfielder, he can play as a number eight, he can play on the left. He is versatile.”Pep Guardiola
While a transfer is nearing completion, club officials remain cautious until the paperwork is finalised following a turbulent period of recruitment.