football.london assesses what Arsenal's ideal week might look like from here on in as they prepare to welcome back a host of their international players ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash against Leeds United
Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta has lost two Arsenal forwards to injury during the international break
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It wouldn't be an international break without bad Arsenal injury luck. Sadly for the Gunners, both Kai Havertz and Christos Tzolis sustained hamstring issues while away with Germany and Greece, respectively.
Total clarity on exactly when they could be back is yet to arrive, however, football.london has already reported that sources close to the Greek Football Federation suspect Tzolis might be out for 15-20 days following initial tests.
Mikel Arteta's side have been assessing both forwards back in London this week and there's hope they will both be able to return to the pitch as soon as possible to help their team-mates.
Premier League football is now back on the horizon, so by the time Sunday comes around, what would Arsenal's dream week actually look like? Let's take a look (hypothetically).
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Triple fitness boost
For starters, a boost on both Havertz and Tzolis would 100 per cent be welcomed by Arteta given the squad is starting to look a little thin at the top end of the pitch.
Confirmation in his press conference that both injuries are not as bad as initially feared would be music to the ears of Arsenal fans.
There's probably an acceptance that neither will be involved this weekend anyway but beyond that, the games are piling up.
Getting both back fit and available is crucial as they're starters and the team looks so much different without them.
The same also applies to teenage gem Max Dowman, who was released from England's U19 camp early following an injury issue.
Dowman could have a really big role to play over the coming weeks, so Arsenal need him to be fit and ready to contribute (there is optimism he was only released as a precautionary measure).
Kai Havertz.
Arsenal need Kai Havertz back fit to lead the line(Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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No fresh injury problems
There's always a sense of anxiety when the club's international players finally return from their travels.
Sometimes, injuries and fitness issues can flare up in the days after matches, meaning some stars return to their clubs with injuries despite completing games.
Hopefully that is not the case this time around, particularly for the likes of Jurrien Timber, who has been managing his condition so delicately.
There are still several more international matches to come on Tuesday evening, so Arsenal need a clean bill of health from those involved.
Jurrien Timber
Jurrien Timber has had Arsenal nervous while he's away on international duty with Holland
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Leeds defeated
The most simplest objective of the lot. Football is defined by results and games and Arsenal need to get back to winning ways by hook or by crook.
What happened at Brighton before the international break was a real shock to the system but the Gunners have had so much time to process the loss and let their wounds heal.
It was a strange off-day by Arsenal's high standards and now there will be real desire to kick on again on home soil this Saturday lunch-time.
Arteta's men need to set the tone for the matches that will follow across the Champions League and EFL Cup, too.
Don't forget, Leeds are yet to lose in the Premier League also, winning two and drawing three of their five top-flight games.
Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta will be keen for Arsenal to get back to winning ways
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Gyokeres goal
A Viktor Gyokeres goal certainly wouldn't go amiss against Leeds after a tough start to the campaign at club level.
He's gone away and worked hard with Sweden, embraced the change of environment and he's utilised that to his advantage.
Gyokeres has returned to Arsenal with four goals across all four of Sweden's Nations League matches during the extended break.
With Havertz likely to be out this weekend, he deserves a chance to get off the mark for Arsenal this season.
He's full of confidence and scored three times in two outings against the Whites last season, so it's doable.