Arsenal host Leeds in the Premier League on Saturday as both managers gave their latest injury updates on their squads ahead of the game.
Arsenal return to Premier League action this weekend after a lengthy international break. The Gunners host Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday in an early kick-off (12.30pm).
The two weekends without games gave Mikel Arteta a chance to work on the training ground with players not on international duty. It also gives players carrying niggles or knocks a chance to fully recover.
The international break has also caused some injury concerns around those in action for their national teams. Winger Christos Tzolis, forward Kai Havertz and defender Ezri Konsa have all struggled on international duty.
FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE! All the latest Gunners news, analysis and more via our dedicated Facebook page
It’s not just Arsenal who are troubled, their rivals Leeds are also taking a hit. Before the game, both managers gave updates on player availability for the match.
Arsenal
It has been confirmed by Arteta that Tzolis will miss the game due to an injury sustained while on international duty with Greece. Giving an update on the summer signing, the Gunners boss simply said: “Yeah, he’s not available.”
Along with defender William Saliba, he will be joined by the Frenchman’s only other undetermined player. Saliba continues to recover from a back injury sustained during the World Cup.
The availability of the other three players is less certain. Havertz returned from an international with Germany due to injury, while Konsa left before England’s final against the Czech Republic.
On the duo, Arteta said: “Kai had a muscle injury, I spoke to Germany and they sent the player back as normal, Ezri we communicated well with the England camp.”
He added, “We’ll see Kai and Ezri tomorrow.”
Midfielder Declan Rice is also a doubt after being withdrawn from the Three Lions squad before the start of the international break.
“We have to manage him because he has had a few problems since coming back from the World Cup,” Arteta said. “Hopefully he’ll be ready tomorrow and some are in doubt.”
In better news, defensive duo Ben White and Cristhian Mosquera returned to training during the international break, meaning they should be available for selection for the clash with Leeds.
Leeds
Forward Mateo Joseph has been out three times for Leeds as he continues his recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament injury. He will be joined by club captain Joe Rodon on the sidelines.
Of the defender, Leeds manager Daniel Farke said, via LeedsLive: “Joe Rodon is back in rehab and progressing well and has had a few individual sessions on the pitch but it will be a while before he returns to team training.”
Farke also confirmed that winger Dan James will be unavailable due to a back injury sustained while on international duty with Wales.
The Black and Whites have slight doubts about the other two players. Winger Jean-Matteo Bahoya has returned from the international game of the France U21 national team with an ankle injury.
Jean-Matteo (Bahoya) is also back with an ankle strain but is looking better,” Farke said.
“Looks like it at least has a chance to exist.”
A similar situation arose with Harry Wilson, who returned from a muscle injury. Farke added: “There’s good news with Harry Wilson after his muscle injury. He’s back in team training from Tuesday and we’ll have to wait and see how he reacts now, but there’s a good chance he’ll be fit.”