Arsenal defender Ezri Konsa is a doubt ahead of Saturday's return to Premier League action
Mikel Arteta reacts
Mikel Arteta has suffered a fresh blow in the form of another player getting injured(Image: PA)
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Leeds United's visit to the Emirates Stadium on Saturday gives Arsenal their first chance to respond to the defeat at Brighton that interrupted an otherwise strong start to the season.
Mikel Arteta's side won their opening seven matches in all competitions to kick off 2026/27, but a 3-0 loss at the Amex left the reigning Premier League champions with a setback to reflect on during the extended international break. With 17 players away representing their countries, preparations for the return to club football have also brought fresh fitness concerns.
Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz and Christos Tzolis have all suffered injuries of varying severity during the September-October break. Arteta will be hoping for positive news as he assesses his options for the meeting with Leeds on October 10, particularly with his defence already stretched.
Now, football.london brings you two of the most recent developments concerning Arsenal.
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Willian reveals conversation with Arteta
Former Arsenal winger Willian claims Arteta and the club's hierarchy promised him a key role before his move from Chelsea. The Brazilian joined the Gunners in 2020 after his contract at Stamford Bridge expired, signing a staggering £220,000-per-week deal at the age of 32.
His spell in north London proved hugely disappointing. He scored just once during the 2020/21 campaign before his contract was terminated by mutual consent. Speaking to his former Chelsea team-mate John Obi Mikel on The Obi One Podcast, Willian explained how a conversation with Arteta helped convince him to make the move.
"I met Arteta, I met everyone there," he said. "And they said, 'We want you to be the main guy'. Arteta said to me: 'We're going to play like this, and I want you to be the main guy, I will build the team around you, I want to give you the key to the club'.
Willian of Arsenal
Willian struggled in his season at Arsenal(Image: Visionhaus)
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"When I heard that, obviously I love Chelsea but I was in the last year of my contract, I was 32, and I was thinking three more years in London, stay with my family in London, they love London. And then I decided. To be honest I should have stayed but at that moment I was thinking maybe the best solution is to go there, and I signed for three years there but it was not good.
"I got frustrated," he added. "I am not saying it is their fault, but when you heard a lot of things and then you join the club, things that are not the same as what they told me, I got frustrated straight away. Three months later I said to my agent I want to leave, and that I made a big mistake leaving Chelsea."
When pressed on whether promises had been broken, Willian said: "It was more due to what I heard. I got frustrated from that because when I was there I saw some situations that I said to myself, it's not going to change. But it didn't work and because of that I couldn't play well or perform because I wasn't happy. When you are not happy you cannot perform. Money cannot buy happiness. It was the best contract of my life there, but I wasn't happy.
"I have nothing against him [Arteta]. He's a great coach inside the pitch, his ideas are great but he missed little bits on how to manage the team. The human part, he was missing it. It's important, but inside the pitch he is good. I always joke that they sold me a dream and it wasn't a good dream."
Gunners dealt new injury blow
Ezri Konsa of England acknowledges the fans following the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Croatia and England at Stadion HNK Rijeka on October 03, 2026 in Rijeka, Croatia.
Ezri Konsa has pulled out of the England squad(Image: Eddie Keogh - The FA, The FA via Getty Images)
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Arsenal have suffered another defensive injury setback ahead of Saturday's game. Centre-back Ezri Konsa was signed in the summer primarily because of William Saliba's long-term back issue.
The former Aston Villa defender has been a regular starter since moving to north London and was called up by England for their recent Nations League fixtures. However, the 28-year-old, who featured in two of England's three matches, withdrew from the squad before today’s fixture against the Czech Republic.
Tuchel said: "Ezri felt discomfort when he came into camp, played with it against Spain and it got a bit worse so he stayed in camp and tried everything for the match against Czechia and it came too soon. He tried everything for the game in Croatia, got the green light and came through all the training sessions so was ready to play.
"Unfortunately, he got another hit on the quad and that caused a light trauma and we decided not to let him play through this pain, so he left camp to get treatment for both his issues now. I think nothing major but not worth the risk taking."
Konsa's availability for the Leeds match remains uncertain. Ben White and Cristhian Mosquera also missed the defeat at Brighton, and it is not yet clear whether either will return. Jurrien Timber, meanwhile, has recently recovered from fitness problems of his own.