Mikel Arteta confirms double Arsenal injury scare ahead of Leeds United trip | OneFootball

Arsenal have injury concerns over William Saliba and Jurrien Timber before Saturday’s trip to Leeds United, with Mikel Arteta confirming both have niggles and will not play tonight. According to yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk, the pair missed Tuesday’s training.

The league leaders head to Elland Road to meet a side very different to the one beaten 5-0 in August. Leeds have lost just one of their last 11 in all competitions, taking home points off Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool.

Arsenal have dropped points in their past three league games and must first negotiate a Champions League dead rubber against Kazakhstan champions Kairat Almaty. Qualification is already secure, and rotation is expected.

Mikel Merino also missed Tuesday’s session, though he is suspended tonight, while Declan Rice is banned but trained. Riccardo Calafiori and Kai Havertz returned to training and could be involved, with minutes likely managed.

Calafiori suffered a muscle issue in the warm-up before the 2-1 win at Brighton on December 27 and has not played since. Havertz has logged 59 minutes all season after knee surgery following an August injury.

Teenager Max Dowman remains out with an ankle ligament problem, and several regulars are expected to be rested tonight. Leeds may be without Gabriel Gudmundsson with an adductor issue and Jaka Bijol with a hamstring strain, while Dan James is still sidelined with a hamstring tendon problem dating back to November. Only Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa have left Elland Road with a win.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk