Arsenal injury update: Six eye Leeds return, one faces winter wait

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Arsenal return to Premier League action against Leeds at the Emirates on October 10 having not played a competitive fixture since the 3-0 defeat at Brighton — a three-week gap caused by the extended international break — and the treatment room is beginning to clear.

Six first-team players are being targeted for that Leeds fixture, with only one long-term absentee still ruled out well beyond it.

Odegaard, Havertz and Konsa

Martin Odegaard picked up an ankle knock during Norway's 2-1 defeat by Portugal in Oslo, following a late challenge from Bernardo Silva that the Arsenal captain described as something that "doesn't belong on a football field". Odegaard confronted Silva on the pitch and was seen limping afterwards.

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

He missed training on Tuesday but travelled with the Norway squad for Thursday's meeting with Wales, which the Evening Standard reports as a positive sign that the ankle has settled.

Kai Havertz was forced off during Germany's Nations League draw with the Netherlands after a high challenge from Quinten Timber — brother of Arsenal team-mate Jurrien. The German Football Association confirmed a "muscle strain" and Havertz was released back to Arsenal on the Friday, with the Standard reporting optimism that the issue is not a long-term one.

Ezri Konsa, meanwhile, played the full 90 minutes of England's 3-2 defeat by Spain at Wembley before the FA confirmed he was not training with the main group ahead of the trip to Prague, instead following an individual programme at Enfield. He was named on the bench against Czech Republic and has travelled on to Croatia.

Rice rested, defenders closing in

Declan Rice withdrew from the England squad, but the Standard reports the midfielder is not carrying an injury and is instead being given a period of rest at Arsenal ahead of a congested run of fixtures.

Piero Hincapie was left out of Ecuador's squad entirely, with new head coach Marcelo Gallardo confirming the omission was down to injury. The defender has started just once in all competitions this season and was absent for the Carabao Cup win over Ipswich.

Ben White has been managing a groin issue since the 2-0 win at Sunderland on September 12 and was left out against Brighton, forcing Rice and Martin Zubimendi to share right-back duties after Jurrien Timber went off. Cristhian Mosquera has missed five matches since being withdrawn against Aston Villa on August 31, though he travelled to the Amex and watched the warm-ups from the touchline.

Saliba still some way off

William Saliba remains the significant absentee. The Frenchman has been sidelined since July with a back injury, with Arsenal's statement at the time confirming surgery was not recommended but that he would require "a period of rehabilitation" and be out "for an extended period".

Saliba has been named in Arsenal's Champions League squad, but the Standard indicates it may be after the November international break before he returns to action.

Mikel Arteta will have a fuller picture once his internationals report back to London Colney next week.