EPL: I’m hungry for more, Ezri Konsa targets trophies after Arsenal move
August 21, 2026 5:23 pm
Konsa
New Arsenal defender Ezri Konsa has declared he is “hungry for more” after joining the Premier League champions from Aston Villa, saying he wants to continue winning trophies at his new club.
PUNCH Online reported earlier that Konsa completed a £51m move, signing a four-year contract with the EPL champions, with an option for a further year.
Konsa, in an interview on the club website, described his move to Arsenal as a privilege after signing a long-term contract with the club and said he was determined to build on his taste of European success with Aston Villa.
“I’m super excited. It’s a privilege to be here and can’t wait to get started.
“I want to keep winning, I’m 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,” Konsa said in his first interview as an Arsenal player.
The England international spent seven seasons at Aston Villa after joining from Brentford, progressing from helping the club survive relegation in his first season to winning the Europa League in his final campaign.
Konsa said that European success had increased his appetite for trophies ahead of his move to Arsenal.
“That’s what I’m here for, to win. Hungry for more. I had a taste of it last season with the Europa League and I want to go for it all,” he said.
He also paid tribute to Aston Villa for the role the club played in his development.
The English player stated, “I’m very proud [of my time at Aston Villa]. Very grateful for what they did for me in my career, joining them as a boy and left as a man. I’m excited to get going at Arsenal and can’t wait to get started.”
Konsa is joining an Arsenal defence that kept 19 Premier League clean sheets on the way to the title last season, and he praised the chemistry and defensive mentality he has seen from the club’s back line.
“The chemistry they have, they all want to defend for each other, the love they have for defending, they love keeping the ball out of the net which is what you have to do as a defender.
“But I just love the way they are together. What they’ve built over the past few years has been special,” he said.
The 28-year-old said his own enthusiasm for defending would help him fit into Mikel Arteta’s team.
“I take a lot of pride in defending, I love defending so to hear that praise from him is nice,” Konsa said, recalling praise he received from Bukayo Saka after one-on-one training sessions with England.
Konsa has previously faced Arsenal 14 times and said he admired the defensive standards established at the club.
He also brings versatility to Arteta’s squad, having played both right-back and centre-back for club and country.
“I like to build up from the back and I like to have a lot of the ball. It’s Mikel’s style and from what I’ve seen from games, it’s the same way the defenders here play. So hopefully I can add a little bit more,” he said.
“It’s good being versatile. I can do both jobs, right-back and centre-back, but for me ultimately, wherever the manager wants to put me is, I’ll always do a job and do my best.”
Konsa will also link up with several England teammates at Arsenal, having played alongside Noni Madueke, Eberechi Eze, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka at the World Cup.
He said the players had already given him an insight into life at the club.
“They said it’s very enjoyable, they said I’ll enjoy it. I’ve got a good relationship and I’m looking forward to training with them and playing with them,” Konsa stated.
Tosin Oyediran is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over eight years of professional experience in reporting and storytelling. He is known for conducting incisive interviews and producing compelling human-angle stories that bring clarity and depth to the news. Tosin covers a broad range of beats including politics, health, advocacy, sports, and entertainment, with a strong focus on people-centred reporting. His work reflects firsthand newsroom experience, editorial insight, and a commitment to accurate, engaging, and trustworthy journalism.
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