Havertz and Konsa Cleared to Start as Arsenal Face Leeds
Kai Havertz and Ezri Konsa have both been cleared to start for Arsenal against Leeds United, despite leaving their respective international camps with fitness concerns during the latest Nations League break.
Havertz is back in the XI after suffering a muscular problem 30 minutes into Germany’s opening match against the Netherlands. He returned to Arsenal for assessment and treatment, but has recovered sufficiently to take his place from the first whistle.
Konsa also starts after a disrupted England camp. The defender featured in the matches against Spain and Croatia before pulling out ahead of the Czechia fixture, having been managing an ongoing issue.
Mikel Arteta had offered no firm assurances over either player on Friday. The Arsenal manager said Germany had promptly allowed Havertz to return after he spoke with Jurgen Klopp, while adding that the club had remained in close contact with England over Konsa’s condition.
Havertz’s absence had appeared likely to create an opening for Viktor Gyökeres, particularly after the Sweden striker scored four goals during the international window. Instead, Gyökeres remains among the substitutes and is still waiting for his first league start.
Declan Rice is included after missing England’s recent run of internationals, while Myles Lewis-Skelly returns to the side following a substitute appearance in Arsenal’s previous league outing against Brighton.
Noni Madueke operates from the left flank ahead of Eberechi Eze. Christos Tzolis is unavailable because of injury. The immediate question for Arsenal is whether Havertz and Konsa can come through the Leeds match without any reaction to the problems that cut short their international involvement.
