Arsenal are assessing the fitness of several key players as they prepare for their return to Premier League action on October 10 against Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium. The extended international break means three weeks will have passed since the 3-0 defeat to Brighton when the Gunners host Leeds.
Cristhian Mosquera and Ben White are expected to be available for selection, but injury concerns remain for Declan Rice and Kai Havertz, who both withdrew from international duty. Captain Martin Odegaard also picked up a knock on Sunday, while summer signing Ezri Konsa was an unused substitute in England's 2-0 win over the Czech Republic.
Martin Odegaard
Odegaard was angered by a late challenge from former Manchester City star Bernardo Silva during Norway's 2-1 home defeat by Portugal in the Nations League in Oslo last Sunday. The Arsenal captain said the challenge, which came from behind after he had played the ball away, “doesn’t belong on a football field” as he confronted Silva.
“I hope not, but I got a knock on my ankle there,” Odegaard said. “So it probably won't be good tonight.” He missed training on Tuesday but travelled with the squad to Wales, a positive sign his ankle is improving.
Ezri Konsa
Konsa played the full 90 minutes in England's 3-2 Nations League defeat by Spain at Wembley. The Football Association confirmed on Monday that he was not training with the main squad ahead of the flight to Prague, instead following an individual programme at Tottenham's training ground. He was on the bench in Prague and has travelled to Croatia for the weekend's match.
Kai Havertz
Havertz was forced off during Germany's Nations League draw with the Netherlands last Thursday with a suspected hamstring issue after a high challenge from Quinten Timber. He left the Germany camp on Friday and returned to Arsenal, with the German Football Association stating he had suffered a “muscle strain”. He will undergo further tests, but there is optimism he has not suffered a long-term injury.
Declan Rice and Piero Hincapie
Rice was one of five players to drop out of the England squad through injury last Monday. He is not believed to be carrying an injury but is being given rest at Arsenal ahead of important fixtures. Piero Hincapie was left out of Ecuador's squad amid fitness concerns, with new manager Marcelo Gallardo confirming the defender was omitted because of injury.
Ben White and Cristhian Mosquera
White picked up a groin issue in Arsenal's 2-0 win over Sunderland on September 12 and missed the Carabao Cup win over Ipswich. He was not in the matchday squad against Brighton, but manager Mikel Arteta had said before that match: “Ben is all good, we have another training session this afternoon, so very positive about everybody.”
Mosquera has been out since being forced off in the 1-0 win over Aston Villa on August 31 and has missed Arsenal's last five matches. He travelled to Brighton but was not in the matchday squad. The extended break should give him time to recover from the muscle issue.
William Saliba
Saliba has been sidelined since July with a back injury and is not expected back until after the November international break. A statement in July said: “Specialist reviews on William’s return to London this week have confirmed that he has suffered a back injury which will require a period of rehabilitation. Extensive assessments have concluded that surgery is not recommended, but William should now commence a managed recovery programme.” His potential return date is winter 2026, with most players expected back for the Leeds match on October 10.
