Early Arsenal team news as 2 injured players spotted with squad

Injury doubts Kai Havertz and Ezri Konsa were part of the group on the Arsenal pre-match walk ahead of Saturday’s game against Leeds United.

Arsenal fans searching for hints on the fitness status of key duo Kai Havertz and Ezri Konsa spotted the pair taking part in the team’s pre-match walk ahead of Saturday afternoon’s match against Leeds United.

Inclusion on the walk doesn’t necessarily mean the two players will be available to feature for the Gunners, and Mikel Arteta has seemingly used the walk to play mind games in the past, including players who definitely weren’t fit.

But the inclusion of Havertz and Konsa is certainly better news than their absence, which almost certainly would have meant they were unavailable for the game.

In another potential hint that some first-team players are set to return from injury, Marli Salmon wasn’t spotted with the squad.

It seems the youngster is set to play for the Arsenal u21s instead, suggesting Arteta believes he has enough senior players to fill his bench.

That’s not entirely surprising, with Ben White, Cristhian Mosquera, Declan Rice, and Piero Hincapie all believed to be fit to make the squad. William Saliba and Christos Tzolis are the only two players who have been completely ruled out.

It’s not long now until the team news will be officially released, and we get formal confirmation of whether or not the likes of Havertz and Konsa have recovered from their international injuries in time for the game.

For the time being, it’s encouraging just to see that the pair aren’t sitting at home with their feet up and heavy strapping on their legs.

• Arsenal kit choice for Liverpool could be good omen
  Arsenal are set to wear yellow rather than blue during Sunday’s game against Liverpool, which could be a good omen for the team.
• Arteta defends his reaction to Dowman red card
  Mikel Arteta has defended his initial reaction to Max Dowman after the midfielder’s red card, whilst adding that he’d very disappointing the dismissal wasn’t overturned.
• 2 Liverpool players could return from injury vs Arsenal
  Andoni Iraola has confirmed that Dominik Szoboszlai and Victor Munoz are in contention to return from injury against Arsenal, but four other Liverpool players have been ruled out.
• 3 injured Arsenal players return to training pre-Liverpool
  Arsenal’s pre-Liverpool press conference has provided the fans with a boost, with confirmation that Christos Tzolis is among those to have returned to training.
• Former players defend Max Dowman over red-card incident
  Micah Richards and Alan Shearer have hit back at criticism of Max Dowman, suggesting the Arsenal youngster was lucky not to suffer an injury.