BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 19: Christos Tzolis of Arsenal reacts during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Brighton & Hove Albion and ...
BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 19: Christos Tzolis of Arsenal reacts during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Arsenal FC at American Express Stadium on September 19, 2026 in Brighton, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
Mikel Arteta’s pre-Leeds United press conference brought some good news and some bad news on the injury front, with only two players completely ruled out of the match.
AUGSBURG, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 27: Christos Tzolis of Greece is challenged by Josha Vagnoman of Germany during the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Germany and Greece at WWK Arena on September 27, 2026 in Augsburg, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
AUGSBURG, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 27: Christos Tzolis of Greece is challenged by Josha Vagnoman of Germany during the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Germany and Greece at WWK Arena on September 27, 2026 in Augsburg, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Starting with the bad news ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League return at home to Leeds United on Saturday, Mikel Arteta has confirmed that in addition to William Saliba, Christos Tzolis will also definitely miss the weekend fixture.
“Tzolis has a muscle injury, and he’s going to be out for a few weeks,” Arteta said. “He’s not available.”
Kai Havertz of Germany reacts during the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Netherlands and Germany at Johan Cruijff Arena on September 24, 2026 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Kai Havertz of Germany reacts during the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Netherlands and Germany at Johan Cruijff Arena on September 24, 2026 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
But it was seemingly better news on Arsenal’s other injured players, with Arteta hopeful that Declan Rice will be back, and adding that Kai Havertz and Ezri Konsa have a chance.
Havertz and Konsa both suffered setbacks over the break, but Arteta said: “Kai and Ezri we will see tomorrow. With Kai as he had a muscular injury, I spoke to Germany and they sent the player back as normal, Ezri we had good communication with the England camp.”
Then, on Rice: “We have to manage him because he’s had a few issues since he came back from the World Cup. Hopefully tomorrow he’s available.”
BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 19: Declan Rice of Arsenal in action during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Arsenal FC at American Express Stadium on September 19, 2026 in Brighton, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 19: Declan Rice of Arsenal in action during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Arsenal FC at American Express Stadium on September 19, 2026 in Brighton, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
The one player definitely fit again after international injury is Max Dowman, with Arteta confirming: “Max is available.”
Arsenal’s training pictures had also confirmed the return of Cristhian Mosquera, Ben White, and Piero Hincapie, which is good news.
In summary, Arsenal should have Mosquera, White, Hincapie, Rice, and Dowman back, Havertz and Konsa are doubts, and Tzolis and Saliba are out.
Cristhian Mosquera in training with Arsenal (Photo via Arsenal.com)
Photo via Arsenal.com
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