Ezri Konsa (centre) celebrates scoring Arsenal’s opening goal against Everton with Mikel Merino

Credit : Getty Images/Mark Leech

From the moment Ezri Konsa pulled on an Arsenal shirt, he has moved with all the composure of a man who knows exactly where to be and when. The centre-back has required no adaptation period in north London, where he has filled the considerable shoes of William Saliba with such class that Arsenal have hardly missed the Frenchman at all.

The loss of Saliba to a long-term back injury was supposed to be a major problem for Arsenal. Instead, the situation has now reached a point where some fans are wondering how Saliba will get back into the side. That may prove a little extreme, but the fact there is even a discussion is proof of Konsa’s superb impact at the Emirates Stadium.

“Unbelievable,” Mikel Arteta, the Arsenal manager, said of his £55m signing. “He’s come to a huge club and to position yourself in that manner, and to perform at the level he is, it is very difficult to do.…