Mikel Arteta rests Gabriel and Saka as Havertz and Calafiori return before Leeds trip | OneFootball

Mikel Arteta left Gabriel and Bukayo Saka on the bench as Arsenal beat Kairat Almaty 3-2, with Kai Havertz and Ricardo Calafiori returning, before Saturday’s trip to Leeds United.

Sunday’s 3-2 defeat to Manchester United at the Emirates was their third league loss of the season. According to yorkshireevenpost.co.uk, a busy week then brought a Champions League home tie on Wednesday.

Arsenal had already qualified for the last 16 with seven wins from seven and were chasing a perfect league-phase campaign. For that match, Jurien Timber and William Saliba were ruled out with niggles, while Declan Rice and Mikel Merino were suspended. The fixture fell three days before a 3pm kick-off at Elland Road.

Arteta still opted to rest Gabriel and Saka, who remained unused substitutes. Havertz started on his return from knee surgery, scored and supplied a first-half assist, and Calafiori also came straight back into the XI.

Both featured for 45 minutes before being withdrawn at half-time. Arteta said the pair’s comebacks were a positive, outlined that Havertz’s minutes were planned, and noted the forward is pushing to face Leeds, though selection remains a decision to make. He added Havertz can play right or left, as an attacking midfielder or as a nine.

Source: yorkshireevenpost.co.uk