Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Arsenal will be without at least two key players as Leeds United attempt to pull off an upset in the capital.
Arsenal have an unbeaten record at home against the newly-promoted sides that stretches back 15 years as they prepare to welcome Leeds to the Emirates Stadium.
However, Leeds have bolstered the squad that kicked off their Premier League season with a win following the signing of talented winger Noah Okafor.
Aside from an injury to influential captain Ethan Ampadu, Leeds are approaching full-strength for the trip to the Emirates, with Daniel Farke considering handing a debut to Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Now, Arteta has confirmed that he will be without at least two influential players, and faces a late call on two more stars as Leeds look for their first win against the Gunners since 2003.
Mikel Arteta and Viktor Gyokeres talk during Arsenal Training Session
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Mikel Arteta confirms injury blow for Leeds United clash
Speaking in his weekly press conference ahead of the clash against Leeds, Arteta confirmed that both Kai Havertz and Christian Norgaard are unavailable for the game.
According to Arteta, the club are currently assessing Havertz’s injury amid speculation that he could be out for a prolonged spell.
The Arsenal boss said, “The bad scenario is that he cannot play tomorrow. I would love to have him fresh and available and bring him what he brings to the team, and unfortunately, that’s not going to be possible.”
MORE LEEDS UNITED STORIES
Although Norgaard’s injury is less serious, he will miss the game against Leeds, as Arteta also confirmed that a late decision will be made on the fitness of former Leeds loanee Ben White.
🗣️ "We don't really know the extent of it"
Mikel Arteta provides an update on Kai Havertz after he suffered a knee injury. pic.twitter.com/SaEAmu2VYZ
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) August 22, 2025
View Tweet
He continued: “Christian will not be in the squad. With Ben, let’s see how he reacts and what we decide. But Christian will be out for another week or so, I’ll say.
Arsenal could also be without full-back Jurrien Timber, who is continuing his recovery from a long-term injury. Arteta added, “Jurrien, we have to manage his load. Obviously, he’s been out for a long time again, and he comes from a long-term injury. We had a long week, and we have to manage the load on that. So, we have decided to take a little bit of training down, especially that day in the open session.”
However, off-season signing Viktor Gyokeres is available for the clash at the Emirates, as Arteta concluded: “He’s very enthusiastic. He trained really well this week. Again, he had another week under his belt, and he looks in a really good place.”
Kai Havertz in action during Manchester United v Arsenal - Premier League
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images
Leeds must be alert from set pieces to pull off an upset
Farke has focused on adding a new physical presence to his Leeds United team this season, with the likes of Anton Stach, Jaka Bijol and Sean Longstaff all signed to provide more height in the Whites’ squad.
This will be more important than ever against the Gunners, as Arteta has turned them into experts from set pieces. According to data from Sky Sports, Arsenal have scored 31 goals since the start of the 2023/24 season, 12 more than Liverpool in second on the list.
By contrast, Leeds were wasteful from their set pieces, taking seven corners and failing to carve out a clear-cut chance from any of them.
Leeds’ defence will need to be at its strongest to hold off Arsenal’s attacking threat from dead balls.