Arsenal in line for double defensive boost — Saliba faces longer wait

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Arsenal's three-week break from competitive action could hand Mikel Arteta two defenders back for the visit of Leeds — while William Saliba's return remains some way off.

The Gunners head into the extended international break stinging from a 3-0 defeat at Brighton, a result that ended their seven-game winning start to the campaign at the Amex Stadium. Because of the change to the scheduling and length of the first international break this season, Arsenal are not back in action until Saturday October 10, when Leeds arrive at the Emirates for the early kick-off.

White and Mosquera targeting the Leeds game

Ben White has been sidelined since picking up a groin issue in the 2-0 win at Sunderland on September 12, an injury that also kept him out of the Carabao Cup victory over Ipswich three days later.

White had appeared to be in contention against his former club, with Arteta saying in his pre-match press conference: "Ben is all good, we have another training session this afternoon, so very positive about everybody." The defender was ultimately left out of the matchday squad altogether, leaving Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi to share right-back duties after Jurrien Timber went off in the second half.

Cristhian Mosquera has been out since being forced off in the 1-0 win over Aston Villa on August 31 and has now missed five matches in all competitions. The summer arrival did travel with the squad to Brighton despite not being named in the 20, watching the warm-ups from the touchline in a tracksuit.

According to the London Standard, both White and Mosquera are expected to be available again for the Leeds fixture on October 10, with the three-week gap giving the Spaniard time to fully recover from his muscle issue.

Saliba still a long-term absentee

The picture around Saliba is less encouraging. The France international has not featured since July after suffering a back injury, and Arsenal confirmed at the time that surgery was not required.

"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," the club's statement read. "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."

Saliba has been named in Arsenal's Champions League squad, but the same report indicates it may not be until after the November international break that he is back in contention, with a winter return the working expectation.

Every one of Arsenal's current fitness concerns sits in the defensive department, which makes the timing of the break useful. Timber started at Brighton before being withdrawn, and Piero Hincapie was back among the substitutes, offering Arteta at least some restored depth.

With a demanding run of fixtures waiting on the other side of the break, Arsenal will be hoping to emerge from the next fortnight with White and Mosquera back in full training and Saliba moving into the next phase of his rehabilitation.