Arsenal sweat on Havertz and Konsa for Leeds United clash

Arsenal host Leeds United on Saturday with Mikel Arteta still waiting on Kai Havertz and Ezri Konsa. Neither trained on Thursday, leaving late fitness calls for the Premier League meeting at the Emirates. The manager gave little away, saying: "We will see tomorrow." Viktor Gyokeres and Eberechi Eze are ready to step in.

  • Fixture: Arsenal vs Leeds United, Premier League
  • Kick-off: Saturday (exact time not stated in source)
  • Venue: Emirates Stadium (inferred from Arsenal being at home)
  • Major doubts: Kai Havertz (hamstring), Ezri Konsa (dead leg)
  • Available: Ben White, Cristhian Mosquera, Piero Hincapie, Declan Rice
  • Predicted XI: Raya; White, Mosquera, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Lewis-Skelly; Saka, Odegaard, Eze; Gyokeres

Injury and availability

Kai Havertz: Doubt. Returned from Germany duty with a hamstring issue and did not appear in Thursday training footage. Arteta said: "We will see tomorrow."

Ezri Konsa: Doubt. Pulled out of the England camp after struggling with a dead leg. Also absent from Thursday training.

Declan Rice: Should be fit to start. Withdrew from England duty as a precaution, not due to a new injury. Arteta explained: "Yeah, we have to manage him because he's been with a few issues since he came back from the World Cup, and we know the amount of games that he's played in the last three years. So, yes, it was a sensible thing to do, and hopefully tomorrow he's available and some others that as well are in doubt."

Ben White, Cristhian Mosquera, Piero Hincapie: All available, giving Arsenal cover at the back and options in possession.

Christos Tzolis: Ruled out for "a few weeks" with a hamstring problem.

William Saliba: On the injured list.

Predicted line-ups

Arsenal (4-3-3)

Starting XI: Raya; White, Mosquera, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Lewis-Skelly, Odegaard; Saka, Gyokeres, Eze.

Substitutes: Not stated in source.

Leeds United

Line-up not provided in source.

Selection notes

Midfield is the one live selection issue beyond fitness. It appears to be a straight choice between Myles Lewis-Skelly and Bruno Guimaraes alongside Rice. Guimaraes struggled in the previous game against Brighton, so Lewis-Skelly may have the edge. If Havertz does not make it, Viktor Gyokeres is the obvious replacement through the middle. On the left, Eberechi Eze is expected to benefit from Christos Tzolis being ruled out for "a few weeks" with a hamstring problem.

What was said

"We will see tomorrow."

— Mikel Arteta, on Havertz and Konsa fitness

"Yeah, we have to manage him because he's been with a few issues since he came back from the World Cup, and we know the amount of games that he's played in the last three years. So, yes, it was a sensible thing to do, and hopefully tomorrow he's available and some others that as well are in doubt."

— Mikel Arteta, on Declan Rice's withdrawal from England duty

Arteta's brevity on Havertz and Konsa speaks volumes: Arsenal either do not know or do not want Leeds to know. Neither case looks settled. Rice's situation is different—his withdrawal was precautionary, a load-management call after a relentless three-year schedule. The manager's hope is that Rice and "some others" are available tomorrow, but the lack of clarity leaves Leeds guessing.

The numbers

  • Viktor Gyokeres: four goals in four games for Sweden during the international break
  • Christos Tzolis: ruled out for "a few weeks" with a hamstring problem
  • Declan Rice: withdrawn from England duty, no new injury

Why Arteta might turn to Gyokeres over Havertz

If Kai Havertz fails his fitness test, Viktor Gyokeres is the obvious replacement through the middle. The Swedish striker arrives off the back of four goals in four games during the international break—a timely reminder of his sharpness. Arsenal need a focal point, and right now Gyokeres looks ready to provide it.

On the left, Eberechi Eze is expected to benefit from Christos Tzolis being ruled out. Tzolis joins William Saliba on the injured list, but Eze's creativity offers a different threat. The England international has the ability to drift inside and combine with Martin Odegaard, giving Arsenal an extra dimension in the final third.

In midfield, Myles Lewis-Skelly may have the edge over Bruno Guimaraes alongside Declan Rice. Guimaraes struggled against Brighton, and Arteta could opt for Lewis-Skelly's energy and composure. The decision will shape how Arsenal control the game against a Leeds side likely to sit deep.

Talking points

  • Should Arteta risk Havertz if he is not fully fit, or trust Gyokeres after his Sweden heroics?
  • Does Lewis-Skelly deserve the nod over Guimaraes after the Brazilian's Brighton display?
  • Is Rice's workload becoming a problem? He has played non-stop for three years.
  • With Saliba out, can the makeshift defence of White, Mosquera, Gabriel and Calafiori hold firm?

What happens next

Arsenal will make late calls on Havertz and Konsa before Saturday's kick-off. A win would keep them on track in the Premier League, but dropping points at home to Leeds would raise questions. Arteta's team selection will reveal how confident he is in his squad depth.

Frequently asked questions

Is Kai Havertz playing for Arsenal vs Leeds United?

Havertz is a doubt. He returned from Germany duty with a hamstring issue and did not train on Thursday. Arteta said: "We will see tomorrow."

Will Ezri Konsa start against Leeds?

Konsa is also a doubt after pulling out of the England camp with a dead leg. He did not appear in Thursday's training footage.

Who will start up front for Arsenal if Havertz misses out?

Viktor Gyokeres is the obvious replacement through the middle. He scored four goals in four games for Sweden during the international break.

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