Arteta confirms Tzolis facing few weeks out before Leeds trip

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Mikel Arteta has confirmed Arsenal are dealing with a handful of injury concerns ahead of Saturday's lunchtime kick-off against Leeds, with Christos Tzolis the most serious of the cases picked up during the international break.

Tzolis, Kai Havertz and Ezri Konsa all suffered knocks while away on international duty, though Arteta was clear that the Greek winger's issue is the one causing the most concern. Havertz and Konsa sustained muscular problems that prompted their respective national teams to send them back to Arsenal early, but neither is expected to be sidelined for long.

"Kai had a muscular injury," Arteta explained in his pre-match press conference. "I spoke to Germany and they sent the player back as normal. With Ezri we had good communication with the England camp." On Tzolis, the picture is less positive. "Tzolis has a muscle injury as he's going to be out for a few weeks." Asked directly whether Tzolis was the worst-affected of the three, Arteta was blunt: "Yeah, he's not available."

Rice managed after World Cup issues

There was also an update on Declan Rice, who was left out of the England squad for this international break for what was described as 'load management'. Arteta indicated there is more to it than simple rotation, revealing the midfielder has been carrying problems since returning from the World Cup despite starting all five of Arsenal's league games this season.

"We have to manage him because he's had a few issues since he came back from the World Cup," Arteta said. "Hopefully tomorrow he's available."

On a more positive note, Piero Hincapie, Cristhian Mosquera and Max Dowman have all shaken off their respective fitness problems and are available for selection against Leeds.

Leeds arrive with their own issues

Daniel Farke's side travel to north London with injury concerns of their own. Joe Rodon and Daniel James are both ruled out, while late calls will be made on Jean-Matteo Bahoya and Harry Wilson before kick-off.

Despite Leeds' unbeaten start to the season, Farke conceded his side go into the fixture as underdogs, while pointing to their recent record as evidence of progress at Elland Road. "It's no coincidence that in the last 10-11 months we have been the fifth best team in the Premier League in terms of points," Farke said, as reported by Arseblog. "We haven't won the lottery to be in fifth, it's not coincidence that we are unbeaten after a very impressive start to the Premier League."

Arsenal will be hoping to make home advantage count against a Leeds side that has proven difficult to beat, with Arteta needing to navigate his squad through a congested period despite the fresh fitness concerns.