Arsenal injury update: Martin Odegaard, Ezri Konsa, Kai Havertz latest news and return dates

Arsenal are sweating over the fitness several key players as they prepare for a return to Premier League action a week on Saturday.

Due to a change to the length of the first international break this season, three weeks will have passed from the 3-0 loss to Brighton when Arsenal host Leeds at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners will hope to have Cristhian Mosquera and Ben White available for selection, but their injury issues have not eased completely with Declan Rice and Kai Havertz among those being forced to withdraw from international duty.

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard received a knock on Sunday and summer signing Ezri Konsa was an unused substitute in England’s 2-0 win over Czech Republic.

Martin Odegaard

The Arsenal captain said the challenge - which came from behind after he had already played the ball away - “doesn’t belong on a football field” as he angrily confronted Silva and was seen shouting “f**k you” repeatedly in his direction.

Odegaard was seen limping after the game, though he has not withdrawn from the Norway squad for Thursday’s clash with Wales, which is followed by another contest against Portugal at the weekend.

Boost: Martin Odegaard

PA

"I hope not, but I got a knock on my ankle there," Odegaard said. "So it probably won't be good tonight."

Odegaard missed training on Tuesday but has travelled with the squad to Wales, a positive sign that his ankle is feeling much better.

Potential return date: October 10 vs Leeds (h)

Ezri Konsa

Konsa started and played the full 90 minutes in England’s dramatic 3-2 Nations League defeat by Spain at Wembley last Saturday,

However, the Football Association (FA) confirmed on Monday morning that the defender - along with Manchester City’s Nico O’Reilly - was not training with the main squad ahead of the flight to Prague, where Thomas Tuchel’s side faced the Czech Republic on Tuesday evening.

Instead, Konsa followed his own individual programme at Tottenham’s training ground in Enfield.

The encouraging sign is that Konsa was on the bench in Prague and has made the trip to Croatia for this weekend’s showdown.

Potential return date: October 10 vs Leeds (h)

Kai Havertz

The forward left the pitch with a suspected hamstring issue after being caught by a high challenge from Quinten Timber - brother of his Arsenal team-mate Jurrien - in the first half.

Kai Havertz was injured in Germany’s Nations League draw against the Netherlands

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Potential return date: October 10 vs Leeds (h)

Declan Rice

Rice has struggled with niggling injuries over the past 12 months and will now miss England’s Nations League triple-header against Czechia (2x) and Croatia after sitting out the 3-2 loss to Spain at the weekend.

It’s not believed that the midfielder is currently carrying an injury, rather he is being given some rest at Arsenal in preparation for some huge games.

Potential return date: October 10 vs Leeds (h)

Piero Hincapie

Piero Hincapie was left out of Ecuador’s squad for the international window amid ongoing fitness concerns.

The left-sided defender has only started once for Arsenal across all competitions this season and missed out completely against Ipswich in the Carabao Cup.

Piero Hincapie has not joined up with the Ecuador squad

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It is unclear as to how serious the issue is, though a three-week break quite possibly came at the ideal time for Hincapie.

Potential return date: October 10 vs Leeds (h)

Ben White

White picked up a groin issue in Arsenal's 2-0 win over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on September 12, subsequently missing the Carabao Cup win over Ipswich three days later.

The defender, not named in the England squad, was thought be in contention for the showdown against Brighton following comments from Arteta in the pre-match press conference.

“Ben is all good, we have another training session this afternoon, so very positive about everybody,” Arteta said.

Ben White was absent against Brighton

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However, White was not in the matchday squad against his former club, meaning Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi had to share right-back duty after Timber went off in the second half.

Though, taking Arteta's pre-Brighton update into consideration, White should be fine after the international break.

Potential return date: October 10 vs Leeds (h)

Cristhian Mosquera

Mosquera has been out of action since he was forced off in the 1-0 win over Aston Villa on August 31, and has now missed Arsenal's last five matches across all competitions, including the loss to Brighton.

Spotted in his tracksuit, Mosquera then watched the warm-ups from the touchline, as the extra man often does for the Gunners.

Cristhian Mosquera is believed to be closing in on a return from his muscle injury

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As Arsenal are now not in action for another two weeks due to the extended international break, that should give Mosquera a chance to fully recover from the muscle issue.

Potential return date: October 10 vs Leeds (h)

William Saliba

Arsenal’s defensive strength, even without Saliba, had been evident right up until the Brighton game.

The good news is the defender doesn't need surgery, but it may be after the November international break before he is back in action.

William Saliba is a long-term absentee

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A statement released in July read: “Specialist reviews on William’s return to London this week have confirmed that he has suffered a back injury which will require a period of rehabilitation.

“Extensive assessments have concluded that surgery is not recommended, but William should now commence a managed recovery programme.

“William’s rehabilitation will commence immediately, with continual management of his injury, and he is expected to be out of action for an extended period.”