Arsenal vs Leeds United Team News: Havertz and Konsa Late Calls
Arsenal go into Saturday’s meeting with Leeds United still waiting on two key fitness decisions. Kai Havertz and Ezri Konsa are both doubts, and Mikel Arteta is leaving it late.
Neither player appeared in training footage on Thursday. Havertz returned from Germany duty with a hamstring issue, while Konsa pulled out of the England camp after struggling with a dead leg. The manager was brief and to the point when asked for clarity, saying, “We will see tomorrow.”
Havertz and Konsa fitness concern
That answer tells you enough. Arsenal do not know yet, or do not want Leeds to know. Either way, neither case looks settled. There is better news elsewhere. Ben White, Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie are all available, which gives Arsenal cover at the back and options in possession.
Declan Rice should also be fit to start. He withdrew from England duty, though this was not down to any 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.”
Viktor Gyokeres ready for chance
If Havertz does not make it, Viktor Gyokeres is the obvious replacement through the middle. Four goals in four games for Sweden during the international break is a decent way to press your case. Arsenal need a focal point, and right now he looks sharp.
On the left, Eberechi Eze is expected to benefit from Christos Tzolis being ruled out for “a few weeks” with a hamstring problem. Tzolis joins William Saliba on the injured list.
Arsenal predicted XI against Leeds United
Midfield looks like 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.
Predicted Arsenal XI: Raya, White, Mosquera, Gabriel, Calafiori, Rice, Lewis-Skelly, Saka, Odegaard, Eze, Gyokeres.
Arsenal have options. What they need now is certainty.
