Mikel Arteta’s pre-Leeds United press conference brought some good news and some bad news on the injury front, with only two players completely ruled out of the match.
Starting with the bad news ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League return at home to Leeds United on Saturday, Mikel Arteta has confirmed that in addition to William Saliba, Christos Tzolis will also definitely miss the weekend fixture.
“Tzolis has a muscle injury, and he’s going to be out for a few weeks,” Arteta said. “He’s not available.”
But it was seemingly better news on Arsenal’s other injured players, with Arteta hopeful that Declan Rice will be back, and adding that Kai Havertz and Ezri Konsa have a chance.
Havertz and Konsa both suffered setbacks over the break, but Arteta said: “Kai and Ezri we will see tomorrow. 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.”
Then, on Rice: “We have to manage him because he’s had a few issues since he came back from the World Cup. Hopefully tomorrow he’s available.”
The one player definitely fit again after international injury is Max Dowman, with Arteta confirming: “Max is available.”
Arsenal’s training pictures had also confirmed the return of Cristhian Mosquera, Ben White, and Piero Hincapie, which is good news.
In summary, Arsenal should have Mosquera, White, Hincapie, Rice, and Dowman back, Havertz and Konsa are doubts, and Tzolis and Saliba are out.
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