Ezri Konsa has completed a \u00a350m transfer (plus \u00a35m in add-ons) for Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa.<\/strong><\/p>\n Fabrizio Romano confirmed the update on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday afternoon.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Liverpool have bolstered their backline with the loan arrival of Barcelona\u2019s Ronald Araujo<\/a>.<\/p>\n Say what you will about Arsenal stockpiling defenders, but the Gunners\u2019 remarkable squad depth in 2025\/26 proved to be a key asset in bringing the Premier League title back to North London.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udea8\ud83d\udd34\u26aa\ufe0f OFFICIAL: Ezri Konsa joins Arsenal from Aston Villa on \u00a350m plus \u00a35m add-ons deal. pic.twitter.com\/dyxbXcdZfY<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 21, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n It\u2019s a great demonstration of how proactive Arsenal\u2019s recruitment department has been, addressing William Saliba\u2019s ongoing injury concern.<\/p>\n Want more Empire of the Kop coverage? Add us as a\u00a0preferred source on Google<\/a>\u00a0to your favourites list for news you can trust<\/em><\/p>\n Bear in mind that Mikel Arteta\u2019s men can already rely on the following array of players to file out in the heart of the defence if need be:<\/p>\n But compared to Liverpool\u2019s defensive depth\u2026 well, things look a little \u201ciffy\u201d there, so to speak:<\/p>\n Technically speaking, the numbers are there, but Liverpool are currently suffering from their own injury concerns. Not to mention the fact that captain and long-time servant Virgil van Dijk has recently turned 35, so a drop-off of sorts wouldn\u2019t be a complete shock.<\/p>\n To be clear, we have absolutely no expectation when it comes to the prospect of Liverpool mounting a serious title challenge in 2026\/27.<\/p>\n For starters, there\u2019s been a change of management \u2013 which brings with it an important shift back to intensity-first football \u2013 and as far as we\u2019re concerned, Andoni Iraola doesn\u2019t have nearly enough squad depth<\/a> to compete on all four fronts this term.<\/p>\n We do expect Liverpool\u2019s recruitment team to complete deals for two new forwards this summer, which would at least ensure the Basque has a workable forward line.<\/p>\n However, the truth of the matter is we look an injury or two away from a genuine crisis in the midfield and backline.<\/p>\nEzri Konsa joins Arsenal and exposes Liverpool squad depth concern<\/h2>\n
\n
\n
\n
If Liverpool are to mount a title challenge, they need bodies<\/h2>\n
![\"Fabrizio](\"https:\/\/icdn.empireofthekop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Adam-Wharton-Tyler-Adams-Liverpool-Crystal-Palace-Premier-League-Fabrizio-Romano-190x107.jpg.webp)
<\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n![\"Liverpool](\"https:\/\/icdn.empireofthekop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Yankuba-Minteh-Bradley-Barcola-Liverpool-Brighton-Premier-League-190x107.jpg.webp)
<\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n![\"Liverpool](\"https:\/\/icdn.empireofthekop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Andoni-Iraola-Yankuba-Minteh-Liverpool-Premier-League-190x107.jpg.webp)
<\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n