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England defender Ezri Konsa has completed a move to north London after William Saliba's injury forced Arsenal to strengthen in that area.

The 28-year-old has joined the Gunners for an initial £51 million, with a further £4 million possible in add-ons, addressing a clear concern in the squad.

Ezri has put pen to paper on a four-year deal, with the club holding an option to extend it by another 12 months.

With Jurrien Timber and William Saliba both sidelined, Mikel Arteta's choices on the right side of defence had become alarmingly limited ahead of the new season.

Arsenal had tracked Konsa throughout the summer, but were reluctant to match the £60 million valuation first placed on him.

Talks gathered pace this week, though, and a compromise was eventually struck, making Konsa Arsenal's fifth signing of the summer window.

Piero Hincapie's transfer was turned into a permanent deal, while Bruno Guimaraes, Christos Tzolis and Illan Meslier have also arrived.

Konsa is regarded as one of the Premier League's most reliable performers.

Andrea Berta

The Premier League champions were looking for a versatile defensive option capable of covering at right-back while also providing another solution in central defence.

Konsa offers exactly that, along with considerable Premier League know-how after making 231 top-flight appearances for Aston Villa.

Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta said: “We’re delighted to have completed the signing of Ezri Konsa.

“Ezri is a defender of high quality, whose athleticism, composure and tactical intelligence have established him as one of the Premier League’s most consistent performers.

“Being comfortable in both central defence and at right-back, Ezri will bring valuable versatility to our squad while maintaining the high defensive standards which are fundamental to our challenge of winning major trophies.

“We are welcoming a player with proven Premier League and international experience, and strong leadership qualities, who will adapt seamlessly to our style of play. Just as importantly, we are welcoming a player with the character and mentality to make an immediate impact within our club.

“We welcome Ezri and his family to Arsenal.”

Arsenal also examined the possibility of signing Jarell Quansah through intermediaries, but Konsa remained the club's top target and now strengthens an already strong English core in the squad.

He is close to Bukayo Saka and was part of the World Cup squad in the summer alongside Declan Rice, Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze.

The Gunners' first-team group also includes Myles Lewis-Skelly, Ben White and Max Dowman.

Konsa said: “I want to keep winning, hungry to win and that’s what I’m here for.

“It's a proud moment for me and my family to play for one of the best teams in the world.

“So yeah, a lot of emotions have gone through my head, but I think it will really kick in on the first matchday.”

When asked whether he had spoken to Arsenal's England players, Konsa said: “They said I'll enjoy it, and like you said, I've played with four of them.

“I'm looking forward to training with them and playing with them.”

There is a strong possibility that Konsa could make his Arsenal debut against his former club.

The defender completed his medical on Thursday but was not registered in time to be involved in Arsenal's opening game of the season against Coventry.

He will, however, have a full week on the training ground to get up to speed before the Gunners travel to Villa Park to face Unai Emery's side on August 31.