Ezri Konsa ‘available’ to make Arsenal debut against former club Aston Villa – Mikel Arteta

Arsenal summer signing Ezri Konsa could be set to make his debut against his former club Aston Villa on Monday night, Mikel Arteta says.

The 28-year-old completed a £51million move to Arsenal last week from Villa Park, where the England international had played since 2019.

“He’s available. He’s been training really well so I think he will be available for selection,” the manager said in a press conference on Thursday afternoon. The Premier League champions will take on Unai Emery’s side in their second league game of the season away from home.

“That’s nothing that concerns me,” Arteta added on Konsa returning to Villa Park. “If I see something different in the player, maybe I question that.

“(But) the way I have seen Ezri from day one, knowing his personality well and with all the feedback I get from the people who have worked with him, that’s nothing that concerns me.”

If Konsa is to start, he could displace Ben White at right-back or Cristhian Mosquera, partnering with Gabriel, who both started in the opening-day 3-0 victory over Coventry City at the Emirates.

Arteta said Bruno Guimaraes is “potentially available,” but the club has managed his training over the last few days due to a groin injury.

“He’s out on the pitch, he’s doing training sessions,” the manager said. “But we need to manage a lot to get (Guimaraes) to Monday in the best possible condition to be able to get selected.”

The summer signing played the first half in Arsenal’s Community Shield victory over Manchester City but wasn’t in the squad against Coventry.

As for Gabriel Jesus, the Brazilian forward was not involved in training on Thursday. Jesus’ contract at Arsenal expires in June 2027.

“It’s something to do with the numbers that we have in the squad at the moment and the way we’re managing that kind of situation individually with all the players that have some personal situations,” Arteta said.

Gabriel Martinelli is another potential departure, with Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal pursuing a deal for the 25-year-old forward. Martinelli was seen leaving Thursday’s training ahead of the other players by members of the media.

“Again, that’s another personal situation that we are dealing with,” Arteta added. “Everybody knows and recognises how much we love Gabi. And whatever the outcome is, it will be because everybody agrees to that.”