England ready to copy Mikel Arteta Arsenal tactics to win 2026 World Cup

Ezri Konsa says England are prepared to follow Arsenal's example to become set-piece specialists at the World Cup next year. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has transformed the Gunners into the Premier League's most dangerous side from dead-ball situations, including at free-kicks, corners and even long throws. Konsa already trains on set-pieces with Aston Villa's specialist coach Austin MacPhee and netted his maiden England goal during the 5-0 victory over Serbia in September.

The Villa centre-back reckons it will become increasingly important in international football and believes England can capitalise on it at next summer's World Cup. Konsa said: "This season you've seen a lot more long throw-ins, Brentford being one team that do it really well and it is difficult to defend. I think now there's a lot more physicality and you do have to be strong, you do have to have physicality in the team because if not you are going to struggle.

"Look the Premier League's changing everything year, it's getting harder and harder and this season, I think you're seeing teams scoring more from set-pieces and the focus is more on in and around set-pieces when you are defending.

"For me as a defender I think it's important that you do have that physicality when you comes to set-pieces and you make sure the boys around you are ready for what's to come because you know nowadays, especially with the throw-ins and the corners.

"You look at Arsenal and see how many goals they have scored and how many points they've won from it. It does play a big part and it's a big part in the game."

Konsa revealed that set-piece work at Villa has become crucial to his development, with his Serbia goal stemming directly from club training sessions. He acknowledged the challenge of replicating such detailed preparation with England due to limited time together.

He explained: "That set piece in Serbia, obviously we did it for England. But in my head, because I'd been with Austin for so many seasons now, it's something he's instilled into my head. When you're in the opposition box, to think like a striker, as a centre-half. We get loads of set-pieces.

"When I do get the opportunity to go out there, I do have to think like a striker. For me, since Austin has come in, it's something he's instilled into my head. It's going to stay there for a long time.

"Our set piece coach at Aston Villa always says when we're attacking corners and free-kicks to think like a striker. In that situation, I wanted to think like a striker. Just run into the box.

"Hopefully there was a rebound. It just fell to me and I smashed it in with my left foot. I don't even think I needed to smash it in!

"When you come with England, you haven't really got much time to train because sometimes you come off the back end of two days before. The games are coming quick in succession. We try and work on it as much as we can. But it's a big point here, definitely."

The 28-year-old has established himself as a key figure in Thomas Tuchel's England set-up, proving his versatility across the back four whilst demonstrating the pace, composure and tactical awareness that mark him out as a genuine contender for a starting berth next summer.

Konsa added: "As a player, to have a manager that shows trust and believes in you is always a special feeling and gives you so much confidence coming here going into games. I do owe him a lot for playing me in all those games.

"It was a dream since I was a kid to represent my country and to have played as many games under him as I have is a special feeling so I can only thank him for what he has done. He is a great manager and I am just happy to be working under him."