Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images
Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images
Jack Wilshere thinks he knows exactly where Max Dowman will end up playing for Arsenal
Jack Wilshere thinks he knows exactly where Max Dowman will end up playing for Arsenal
Max Dowman did something as a 13-year-old that left Jack Wilshere speechless
Max Dowman did something as a 13-year-old that left Jack Wilshere speechless
What sources in Greece are saying about the extent of Christos Tzolis' injury
What sources in Greece are saying about the extent of Christos Tzolis' injury
Mikel Arteta may now do something he has not done for 297 days against Leeds
Mikel Arteta may now do something he has not done for 297 days against Leeds
Forget Gyokeres, Arsenal now have another player they can use in a swap deal for Julian Alvarez
Forget Gyokeres, Arsenal now have another player they can use in a swap deal for Julian Alvarez
Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Photo by Arsenal FC/Arsenal FC / Getty Images
Photo by Arsenal FC/Arsenal FC / Getty Images
Photo by Dijks Media/MB Media/Getty Images
Photo by Dijks Media/MB Media/Getty Images
Image of Mikel Arteta looking dejected alongside of list of players he has signed for Arsenal from outside Europe's top-five leagues
Credit: Getty Images/Shaun Botterill
Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP via Getty Images
Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP via Getty Images
Arsenal return to Premier League action against Leeds on Saturday, after a three-week wait during the international break.
Mikel Arteta will be relieved most of his 17 players called up have come through unscathed, though he may have concerns about the freshness of some. Martin Odegaard played 90 minutes four times in the space of 11 days, while Bukayo Saka has started all three of England’s games so far.
However, there have been some unfortunate key injuries in attack, with both Kai Havertz and Christos Tzolis picking up hamstring injuries. That leaves them light on options in attack, but now the defence could be slim pickings too.
Ezri Konsa has left the England camp with two separate issues. Thomas Tuchel confirmed that the Arsenal defender had been carrying discomfort throughout the break, played through it against Spain, and then picked up an additional knock to the quad during the Croatia game.
Tuchel was keen to play it down, saying that it is “nothing major, not a muscle injury”, and there is hope he could still be available for Leeds on Saturday. But with William Saliba still a way away from returning from his back issue, Arsenal cannot afford to take any risks.
If Konsa isn’t fit for the weekend, Arteta could actually make a selection decision he has not made in the Premier League for 297 days.
Jurrien Timber could start at centre-back against Leeds
Indeed, the last time Arteta turned to Timber at centre-back in the league was back in December last year against Wolves. Since then, he has been used exclusively at right-back, at least from the start, although his injury record in that time means he has rarely been available at all.
The Dutchman came through Ajax’s academy as a centre-back before being converted to right-back after joining in 2023. His reading of the game, his composure on the ball and his ability to play out from the back make him absolutely suitable to play there. The only concern would be his height, as we have seen at times with Lisandro Martinez at Manchester United.
Arteta may have other options to turn to. Ben White and Cristhian Mosquera are both pushing to make the squad against Leeds after their recent setbacks, respectively. But with White back to his best at right-back and due to return for this game, Arteta may want to start Timber alongside Gabriel, not wanting to disrupt the attacking chemistry we have seen down the right flank so far.