Arsenal's Saliba Headache: Will Stones or Konsa Plug the Gap?

Saliba's only 25. No surgery, thank God, but a 'lengthy rehabilitation' sounds like a season-killer. Arsenal had to move. They've apparently got eyes on two blokes: John Stones and Ezri Konsa. Time to see who's desperate enough.

John Stones, 32 now, is a free agent. Just walked out of Manchester City last month. Arteta knows him, obviously, from his City days. That's a 'plus'. He even showed up at the World Cup, which tells you he's breathing. But here's the kicker: the lad's made of glass. He barely played last season, just 439 Premier League minutes. All those 'recurring muscular problems' don't exactly inspire confidence.

Then there's Ezri Konsa. He's 28. A proper workhorse. This guy practically lives on the pitch: 33 Premier League starts, minimum, for five seasons running. Never injured. And he can actually defend. Last term, Konsa won 73 per cent of his ground-duels, best in the league. Solid numbers. The catch? Aston Villa wants a king's ransom. Negotiations are dead in the water right now. They've still got him for two more years. Arsenal will have to pay up, or walk away.

Both Stones and Konsa can slot in at right-back if needed. But let's not pretend Arsenal's defence is thin. They just brought in Piero Hincapie from Bayer Leverkusen. Plus, they've still got Gabriel, Calafiori, Mosquera, Timber, and White knocking about. It's not about *numbers*. It's about finding someone who can actually play.