Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has a surprising long-term plan for summer signing Ezri Konsa while the future of Martin Zubimendi is clear after a frustrating start to the season for the midfield star.

Konsa was one of the Gunners’ big summer signings as he arrived in a deal worth €60 million from Aston Villa, and the 29-year-old has enjoyed a strong start to life at the Emirates, featuring in 13 matches across all competitions.

On the face of things, William Saliba’s return to fitness following injury would appear to threaten his minutes, but FootballTransfers can reveal that Arteta has been preparing for this moment and has been drilling Konsa for a new role.

Since arriving in the summer, Konsa has been drilled to play at right-back, a position that is not unfamiliar to him given that he spent time playing for Villa in the position, notably during the 2023/24 season. He also made his England debut as a full-back.

Arteta is a fan of his centre-backs being able to play wide, with Ben White notably transformed into a full-back having arrived at the club better known for playing in the middle of the defence.

White’s future would appear to be brought into question with the decision to train Konsa up to play on Arsenal’s right. The 29-year-old is in contract talks with the club, and given his deal expires in 2028, there is some urgency for a conclusion one way or the other. If there is no agreement by the summer, it would dramatically increase the chances of a sale.

FootballTransfers sources indicate that Konsa is not being trained up as a replacement for White. There is no correlation between the two things, and Arsenal’s intention is to retain the former Brighton player unless he pushes for a move.

Zubimendi transfer latest: Spain star is not unhappy at Arsenal

Martin Zubimendi is another Arsenal player whose future has been brought into focus in recent weeks.

The World Cup winner has been a peripheral figure in the early weeks of the season, only featuring for 289 minutes of action across all competitions this term, more than half of which were accumulated in the EFL Cup.

After he was not used at all during Arsenal’s Premier League victory over Liverpool on Sunday, there was a wave of fresh speculation over what the coming weeks might hold for the former Real Sociedad star.

FootballTransfers can confirm that the player is not unhappy at Arsenal and is not seeking to leave the club during the January transfer window.