Arsenal return to Premier League action on Saturday, with Mikel Arteta's side set to face Leeds. The Gunners trail league leaders Manchester City by three points, while their opponents confidently sit in fifth place.
However, both clubs are grappling with significant injury concerns entering this crucial fixture.
Leeds will be without Matteo Joseph until January due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury, and Joe Rodon faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a hamstring injury. Manager Daniel Farke has expressed the challenges of losing a key defender.
Joe has a hamstring injury. Currently, he could be out for 8-10 weeks, meaning he won't feature until the next international break. It's a big blow for us because he is a key player.
Furthermore, Harry Wilson’s participation is uncertain as he continues to recover from a thigh injury.
On the other hand, Arsenal are still without William Saliba, who is expected to miss matches until December due to a back issue. Ezri Konsa was injured while on international duty, and national team manager Thomas Tuchel provided an update on his status.
Unfortunately, he took another hit on his thigh, resulting in a minor injury. We decided against letting him play through the pain, so he left the camp to receive treatment. I don't think it's anything serious, but we mustn't take any risks.
Kai Havertz and Christos Tzolis also picked up muscle injuries during internationals, making their availability for the weekend highly unlikely.
On a positive note for the Gunners, Kieran Tierney, Ben White, and Declan Rice are all fit and ready to feature following successful recoveries from their respective issues.
