Mikel Arteta Reveals Ezri Konsa Injury Latest Ahead of Hull

Mikel Arteta has confirmed Ezri Konsa is fit and available for Arsenal’s Premier League clash with Hull City at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

The defender was substituted just past the hour mark minute of Wednesday’s 2-1 Champions League win at Slavia Prague, with Cristhian Mosquera coming on in his place. The change raised concerns that Konsa had picked up a knock, but Arteta has now confirmed it was only a precaution.

‘He is fine,’ Arteta said at his pre-match press conference. ‘We took him out as a precaution, but today, he is feeling good.’

It is a welcome boost for Arteta, who has relied heavily on Konsa since his summer move from Aston Villa. With William Saliba sidelined with a back injury for the opening months of the season, the England international has become a regular alongside Gabriel Magalhães at the heart of the Arsenal defence.

Konsa has played a key role in a defence that has kept clean sheets in four of their last five Premier League games. He also scored his first goal for the club in the 2-0 win over Everton last month, bundling home from a corner after just seven minutes.

His availability gives Arteta a strong defensive selection to choose from. Saliba returned to the matchday squad in Prague for the first time this season, named among the substitutes, although he did not come off the bench. Piero Hincapié, Riccardo Calafiori and Mosquera are also available, meaning Arteta has more options at centre-back than at any point so far this campaign.

The win in Prague, secured by goals from Noni Madueke and Viktor Gyökeres, took Arsenal to 10 points from their opening four Champions League games, seeing them sit third behind Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, who both have perfect records in Europe this campaign.

The Gunners' attention now turns to Hull, who arrive at the Emirates as one of the Premier League’s newly promoted sides. The Tigers have failed to win in their last eight matches, after winning their first three matches of the season, including a shock victory over Manchester United in the opening weekend.

Arsenal go into the game three points clear at the top of the table after last weekend’s 1-0 win at Liverpool, and a victory would ensure they remain top heading into the November international break.

Konsa has been included in Thomas Tuchel's England squad for the November international break, as they host Croatia before travelling to Spain next week. For now, though, his focus will be on helping Arsenal extend their lead at the summit.