Alan Shearer names Arsenal’s Ezri Konsa his Premier League player of the season so far

Alan Shearer has named Arsenal defender Ezri Konsa his Premier League player of the season so far, praising the England international's performances since his summer arrival from Aston Villa.

The 29-year-old joined Arsenal in a deal worth up to £55 million and has quickly established himself alongside Gabriel Magalhães.

His contribution has helped Mikel Arteta's side build a five-point lead at the top of the table after ten matches.

With William Saliba nearing a return from injury, Konsa's form has also created a difficult selection decision for the Arsenal manager.

Speaking in his latest Betfair column, Shearer identified Konsa as the Premier League's standout performer during the opening months of the campaign.

"I think the player of the season up to now has been Ezri Konsa," he said.

The former Newcastle United striker believes the defender has played a major role in Arsenal's impressive defensive record.

"I just think when you look at the performances of Arsenal defensively, look at his performances defensively, when we haven't even mentioned William Saliba."

Shearer suggested Konsa's performances have changed the discussion surrounding Saliba's absence.

"The only time we've mentioned him is in the last two weeks thinking, how is he going to get back in because Konsa has been that good."

Arsenal have conceded just five goals in their opening ten league matches, the best defensive record in the division.

Konsa has featured in nine of those games, forming an effective partnership with Gabriel.

Saliba has yet to make a first-team appearance this season after suffering a back injury during France's World Cup campaign.

However, he played 45 minutes for Arsenal's Under-21 side against Aston Villa on Sunday as he stepped up his recovery.

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand believes Konsa's form has complicated the Frenchman's return.

"Mikel Arteta has got a huge problem now. What is he going to do when Saliba is fit?" Ferdinand said.

He described Konsa as an "immovable object" in Arsenal's defence and suggested Arteta could occasionally deploy him at right-back.

Konsa is also managing a minor fitness issue during the international break, having been ruled out of England's match against Croatia.

His availability for Sunday's meeting with Spain remains under assessment.

Arsenal travel to Newcastle United after the international break, when Arteta must assess both Saliba's recovery and Konsa's fitness before selecting his defence.