Konsa settles at Arsenal: "I had a lot of Arsenal kits"

Ezri Konsa has made a smooth start to life at Arsenal since his summer move from Aston Villa, contributing to five clean sheets in his opening appearances for the club.

The defender's most recent contribution came in Sunday's 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest, where he intervened in second-half stoppage time to deny Liam Delap a clear run on goal with a well-timed challenge.

"If you want to win titles, you have to come to tough places like these and get three points," Konsa said after the match at the City Ground. "As a centre-back, I look forward to playing against the best, and in the Premier League, every striker has their own qualities."

On Delap specifically, Konsa added: "He's a very physical striker and gave me some moments. You have to recover sometimes to make that tackle, and sometimes if your position is better, then you don't have to make it - but it's nice when it comes off."

Konsa, who turns 29 this week, grew up in Newham and came through the Charlton Athletic academy before building his career at Aston Villa, where he won the Europa League in Istanbul last season. His move to Arsenal this summer represented a return to his home city and boyhood club.

"Everyone saw Arsenal's record last season defensively, keeping clean sheets, and it's something I wanted to continue when I joined the club," he explained. "I know a few from England, but everyone has made me feel welcome from the start and I'm really happy to be here."

Konsa did not hide his lifelong connection to the club. "I was an Arsenal fan as a kid - I had a lot of Arsenal kits when I was younger," he said. "You dream of playing for a big club like this, and when you see the players they've had throughout the years, to become part of that is what it's about."

Arsenal face Bayern Munich in their third Champions League league phase fixture on Wednesday, entering the match with a 100 percent record and no goals conceded in the competition this season.

Konsa acknowledged the scale of the challenge posed by Vincent Kompany's side, including England teammate Harry Kane. "He's a striker who can drop deep, go into midfield, drag players around, assist and score. And it's not just him, they have Luis Diaz out wide, they have great players all over the pitch."

"We're 100 percent looking to win everything - win the Champions League - with the players and standards we have," Konsa added.