Havertz and Tzolis hamstring injuries hit Arsenal before Leeds; Konsa doubtful
No Arsenal men's league match fell in this international-break week, so the news is injuries and January transfer talk. I read 'Arsenal' as the senior men's first team.
The 30-second version
Kai Havertz and Christos Tzolis are expected out for weeks with hamstring injuries, per The Independent.
Ezri Konsa left England early and is being assessed; Declan Rice is expected to be fit for Leeds.
Arsenal are reported by The Standard to be preparing a January bid for Antonio Nusa.
01Injury report · Oct 5
Havertz and Tzolis face weeks out with hamstring injuries
The Independent reports that Kai Havertz (playing for Germany) and Christos Tzolis (Greece) both hurt hamstrings on international duty and are expected to miss a few weeks, including Saturday's visit of Leeds.
The Standard says Tzolis was replaced in the 18th minute against the Netherlands and had a scan in Greece. It carries early reports that he could be out for up to three weeks, with a possible return against Everton on Oct 24. It says Havertz's scan results were not yet clear, but any absence is thought to be weeks rather than months. These timelines are press reports, not official Arsenal statements.
Next game: Leeds on Saturday, with Arsenal's forward options thin until the Havertz and Tzolis timelines are confirmed.
Konsa withdraws from England; Rice, White, Mosquera, Hincapie back
Ezri Konsa pulled out of the England squad on Monday and returned to Arsenal for assessment, per The Independent and The Standard. He played 90 minutes against Croatia after an unspecified knock; no return date has been given.
Declan Rice withdrew from England duty earlier, which The Standard says was thought to be load management, and he is expected to be fit for Leeds. Ben White, Piero Hincapie and Cristhian Mosquera were back in training last week and should be available, according to The Standard. William Saliba has not played this season; The Standard says reports from France target a return around November or December, with no new official update. The Independent says suggestions of an Odegaard injury proved misplaced.
Next game: Leeds on Saturday, where the defence could get White, Hincapie and Mosquera back while Konsa's status is checked.
Reported: Arsenal preparing Nusa bid and revisiting Yildiz interest
Reported (The Standard live blog, Oct 5): Arsenal are set to launch a bid for Antonio Nusa and have reignited interest in Kenan Yildiz, ahead of the January window. The Standard's summary gives no fee or club confirmation.
Reported (Daily Telegraph, via The Standard): Juventus and Atletico Madrid have noted Noni Madueke's situation and could try to take him on loan in January. He has not started a Premier League game this season. None of these items is confirmed by Arsenal or the league.
Next game: Leeds on Saturday; transfer talk stays rumour until the club or league confirms anything in January.
Arsenal second in the table after Sep 19 loss at Brighton
The Independent reports Arsenal lost 3-0 to Brighton in their last league game on Sep 19 and sit second behind Manchester City. I could not open the official Premier League table, so the matchday count is not confirmed here. No Arsenal men's league game was played in the window.
Next game: Leeds at the Emirates, the first league match after the extended break.
Up next: Leeds at the Emirates, Saturday Oct 10, 12:30 BST
Arsenal v Leeds United, Premier League, Emirates Stadium, Saturday Oct 10, 12:30 pm (Europe/London), per Arsenal's official ticket page.
The Standard lists Lille, Nottingham Forest and Bayern Munich as the following games, without dates in the source I opened, then Everton at home on Oct 24.
Next game: Leeds, Oct 10 at 12:30 BST; watch whether Rice, White and Mosquera start and who leads the attack.