Rio Ferdinand has picked out an Arsenal star who has created a “huge problem” for Mikel Arteta.

The Gunners extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to five points with a 1-0 victory over Hull City on Saturday, as captain Martin Odegaard’s goal was enough to secure their ninth victory in ten games so far this season.

It was their seventh clean sheet of the campaign and three of the five goals they’ve conceded came in one game against second-placed Brighton.

The defence on which the title was was won last season has remained just as solid this term despite the injury to William Saliba thanks to the seamless integration of £55m summer signing Ezri Konsa into the back four.

The former Aston Villa star has earned rave reviews reviews for his displays, not least from Man Utd hero Ferdinand, who now sees Konsa as an “immovable object” set to give Arteta quite the headache when Saliba returns to fitness.

“Mikel Arteta has got a problem, he’s got a huge problem now,” Ferdinand said on his YouTube channel.

“What is he going to do when William Saliba is fit? Ezri Konsa has come into that back-four and he looks like he’s been there for ten years.

“He looks like an immovable object in that team. That’s what it feels like because he’s just slid in there and taken that place. He looks dominant, aggressive and accustomed to wearing the Arsenal shirt.

“He looks like he belongs there. But let’s not forget about Saliba and what he was doing when he was in the team. It’s a problem but it’s a problem that I hope Mikel Arteta will enjoy because he’s got two top centre-backs vying to be in the team.

“It’s a good position to be in. I think we will see Konsa sometimes playing right-back.”

Ferdinand backed Arsenal to retain the Premier League trophy before a ball was kicked and has seen nothing so far that would force him to reconsider his pre-season prediction.

“I thought they would win it anyway. I said that before a ball was kicked,” the six-time Premier League winner added.

“But the way Man City, Liverpool and Chelsea are playing… everyone is doing their best not to even challenge at the moment.

“Arsenal are finding ways to win football matches without playing their best football and that spells trouble for the rest of the teams. If you’re winning games ugly, imagine when you click and hit form.

“The defence and midfield is top tier. The level drops off a bit in the forward areas, especially with Bukayo Saka not being there, but they look strong.”