11 players could miss Arsenal vs Leeds as Mikel Arteta confirms injury blow

Arsenal host Leeds in the Premier League on Saturday as both managers gave the latest injury updates on their squads ahead of the game

Arsenal return to Premier League action this weekend after the extended international break. The Gunners host Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium in Saturday’s early kick-off (12.30pm).

Two weekends without a game has given Mikel Arteta a chance to work on the training pitch with the players who didn’t jet off on international duty. It’s also given those players who may have been carrying niggles or knocks the chance to fully recover.

The international break has also brought about some injury worries too, around those who were in action for their national team. Winger Christos Tzolis, striker Kai Havertz and defender Ezri Konsa all picked up problems while on international duty.

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It’s not just Arsenal who have been hit with worries, with opponents Leeds also suffering a blow. Ahead of the game, both managers have given updates on the availability of players for the encounter.

It has been confirmed by Arteta that Tzolis will miss the game due to a hamstring injury he suffered while on international duty with Greece. Giving an update on the summer signing, the Gunners boss simply said: “Yeah, he's not available.”

He will join defender William Saliba on the sidelines with the Frenchman the only other certain absentee. Saliba is continuing his recovery from a back injury suffered during the World Cup.

There is less certainty over the availability of three other players. Havertz returned from international action with Germany due to a hamstring injury, while Konsa pulled out before England’s final match vs Czechia.

On the duo, Arteta said: “With Kai as he had a muscular injury, I spoke to Germany and they sent the player back as normal, Ezri we had good communication with the England camp."

He added: "Kai and Ezri we will see tomorrow."

Midfielder Declan Rice is also a doubt after withdrawing from the Three Lions squad before the start of the international break.

“We have to manage him because he's had a few issues since he came back from the World Cup,” Arteta said. “Hopefully tomorrow he's available and some others also are in doubt."

In better news, defensive duo Ben White and Cristhian Mosquera returned to training during the international break, meaning that they should be available for selection for the clash against Leeds.

There are three definite absentees for Leeds, with forward Mateo Joseph continuing his recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament injury. He will be joined on the sidelines by club captain Joe Rodon.

On the defender, Leeds manager Daniel Farke said, via LeedsLive : "Joe Rodon is on his way back in his rehab and is doing good progress and has had some individual sessions on the pitch, but it will be a little while before he is back in team training.”

Farke also confirmed that winger Dan James will be unavailable due to a back injury he picked up while on international duty with Wales.

The Whites have slight doubts over two other players. Winger Jean-Matteo Bahoya returned from international duty with France U21s with an ankle injury.

Jean-Matteo (Bahoya) also came back with an ankle strain but it looks much better,” Farke said. “He was today out with us for the first time on the pitch and we will have to wait now to see how his body reacts.

"It seems like there is a chance at least that he will be available.”

It’s a similar situation with Harry Wilson, who is returning from a muscle injury. Farke added: “There was some good news with Harry Wilson after his muscle injury. He has been back in team training since Tuesday and we will also have to wait now and see how he reacts, but there is also a chance he will be available."