Arsenal’s extended international break gives Mikel Arteta valuable time to improve a defensive injury list that has caused problems throughout the opening weeks of the season.
The Gunners entered the break following their 3-0 Premier League defeat at Brighton, with Ben White and Cristhian Mosquera both absent from the matchday squad.
Piero Hincapie returned to the bench at the Amex Stadium, although a fresh development means he will now remain away from international action.
William Saliba, meanwhile, continues a longer-term rehabilitation programme.
With Arsenal not back in Premier League action until Leeds United visit the Emirates Stadium on Saturday 10 October, here is the latest injury picture.
Ben White continues recovery from groin injury
Ben White remains one of Arsenal’s most important fitness concerns during the international break.
The defender suffered a groin problem during the opening weeks of the season and subsequently missed the Carabao Cup victory over Ipswich Town.
ReadArsenal previously covered White’s injury setback ahead of the Ipswich game, before the 28-year-old was also ruled out of the defeat at Brighton.
Mikel Arteta had sounded optimistic before the trip to the south coast after White returned to training.
However, the Evening Standard reported that White was ultimately unable to make the squad.
He has also withdrawn from international duty.
That gives the Arsenal defender an uninterrupted period at London Colney to work with the club’s medical staff.
There is currently no confirmed return date.
The gap before Leeds nevertheless gives White significantly more recovery time than he would normally receive during the season.
Piero Hincapie left out of Ecuador squad
Hincapie’s situation has also developed since the Brighton match.
The defender had missed the Carabao Cup victory over Ipswich but recovered sufficiently to take his place on the bench at the Amex Stadium.
He will not, however, travel with Ecuador during the international break.
AS reports that Hincapie has been omitted from Ecuador’s latest squad because of a groin problem.
That allows the versatile Arsenal defender to remain at club level and continue his recovery.
Hincapie’s ability to operate at centre-back and left-back makes his fitness particularly important for Arteta ahead of a busy October schedule.
Arsenal will hope the extended break is enough for the Ecuador international to recover before Leeds.
There is not yet a confirmed return date.
Cristhian Mosquera pushing towards Arsenal return
Cristhian Mosquera remains unavailable after suffering a muscular problem earlier in the season.
The centre-back has missed a run of Arsenal fixtures, including Saturday’s trip to Brighton.
There have, however, been more encouraging signs around his recovery.
The Evening Standard’s latest Arsenal injury update reported that Mosquera had been pushing to return before the international break.
He was not fit enough to make the Brighton squad, but the coming weeks give Arsenal an opportunity to avoid rushing him back.
The 22-year-old defender has already become an important part of Arteta’s defensive rotation.
If his rehabilitation continues positively, the Leeds fixture could become a realistic target.
That should still be treated as a potential return rather than a confirmed comeback date.
William Saliba remains Arsenal’s long-term absentee
William Saliba remains on a different recovery timeline to White, Hincapie and Mosquera.
The France international continues to recover from the back problem that has kept him out during the opening weeks of the campaign.
Arsenal opted for a rehabilitation programme rather than rushing the defender back into competitive action.
ReadArsenal has tracked the issue since the summer, when Saliba’s injury threatened to influence Arsenal’s transfer planning.
The Evening Standard continues to list Saliba among Arsenal’s longer-term absentees.
No firm comeback date has been announced.
That leaves Arsenal needing White, Hincapie and Mosquera to make progress during the international break.
Arsenal defensive picture could improve before Leeds
There was at least one major positive at Brighton.
Jurriën Timber started at right-back after recently returning from his own lengthy absence.
Arteta had already confirmed there was no fresh Timber injury setback, with Arsenal instead carefully managing his workload following his return.
The extended gap before Leeds should now give Arsenal an opportunity to improve the defensive picture further.
White, Hincapie and Mosquera are the three names to monitor most closely over the coming weeks, while Saliba continues on his longer rehabilitation programme.
This article will be updated throughout the international break as further training and return information emerges.
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