Rio Ferdinand says Mikel Arteta faces a ‘huge problem’ with William Saliba’s return due to Ezri Konsa’s form.

Rio Ferdinand believes Mikel Arteta has a significant selection dilemma on his hands as William Saliba nears a return to full fitness. The centre-back has been out since returning from last summer’s World Cup with a back injury but was named in the matchday squad against Slavia Prague last week.

In his absence, summer signing Ezri Konsa has impressed following a £55m move from Aston Villa, helping Arsenal open up a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League and go unbeaten in the Champions League. Ferdinand said on his YouTube channel that Konsa looks like an ‘immovable object’ in the team.

‘What is he going to do when William Saliba is fit? Ezri Konsa has come into that back-four and he looks like he’s been there for ten years,’ Ferdinand said. ‘He looks dominant, aggressive and accustomed to wearing the Arsenal shirt. He looks like he belongs there.’

Despite the dilemma, Ferdinand believes it is a positive situation for Arteta, suggesting Konsa could also feature at right-back, and he has seen nothing to change his pre-season prediction that Arsenal will retain the Premier League title. Arsenal secured a 1-0 win over Hull City before the international break, with Mikel Arteta admitting his side can still be ‘much better’.