Arsenal have already signed their William Saliba replacement

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Robin Bairner | Chief Editor

Accredited football journalist and editor covering the game since 2006

Arsenal have been rocked by news of a back injury to centre-back William Saliba. It’s an injury that could see the France World Cup star sidelined for much of the rest of 2026, prompting claims the Gunners could be forced into the transfer market. Mikel Arteta, though, already has a replacement close at hand.

Saliba was a mainstay of the team that won the Premier League last season, with the 25-year-old the best centre-back in world football, according to data analysis firm SciSports.

The loss of the 25-year-old to Arsenal is, therefore, potentially enormous, despite his regular partner Gabriel ranking second by the same measure.

Current ETV

William Saliba

D (C)

Arsenal

William Saliba

D (C)

Arsenal

€101.3M

ETV Range

€91.2M - €111.4M

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Reports from L'Equipe have claimed that Saliba could face several months on the sidelines if he requires surgery on his back, and while the Gunners have yet to confirm this news, it has brought speculation that Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta are looking to the transfer market for a solution.

Aston Villa centre-back Ezri Konsa is the subject of interest from the Gunners, according to the Daily Mail. It reports that a bid is being prepared but there is a “significant gap” in the valuation between the clubs.

Exact numbers have not been made available by the report, though Konsa has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of £33.8 million (€39.7m).

Villa, though under Financial Fair Play pressure, have eased this by selling Youri Tielemans to Manchester United while Lucas Digne will leave for PSG after the World Cup. Arsenal, therefore, are bidding against a side that does not necessarily need to sell.

Mosquera a better option than Konsa

But Arsenal already have an alternative in their ranks who is arguably a better option than Konsa.

Last summer, Arteta completed a shrewd deal to sign Cristhian Mosquera from Valencia for just €15 million.

The 22-year-old arrived at the Emirates Stadium last summer with a high potential ceiling and instantly saw his value nearly triple after joining the club.

The two-time capped Spain international has realised Arsenal’s hopes for him, successfully filling in both in the middle and on the right of the defence last term. SciSports reports that he is already the eighth-strongest centre-back in the world – and he still has the potential to reach a higher standard than even Saliba has currently attained.

Mosquera, who played 35 matches last season to an admirable standard, is the ideal replacement for Saliba.

Gunners may sign in any case

Arsenal may still be forced into the transfer market, though. Arteta’s defensive depth is set to be tested following the news that Saliba could be out for months.

The Gunners already have fragile options in their rearguard. Mosquera acted as an auxiliary right-back last season because neither Jurrien Timber nor Ben White could stay fit, and the 22-year-old even started the Champions League final in that role.

Although both are fully expected to be fit by the start of the season, it would be a risk going into the campaign relying on Mosquera to cover Saliba in the middle and, potentially, Timber and White on the right.

Martin Zubimendi could potentially fill the role, particularly if Bruno Guimaraes signs from Newcastle, but this is clearly not an optimal solution for either the player or Arsenal.

Saliba’s injury has given Arteta and Berta much to chew over before the end of the transfer window, but they at least have the insurance of Mosquera, whose €15m arrival a year ago is a deal that looks smarter and smarter with each passing week.

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