Arsenal are looking to get back into winning ways in the Premier League after picking up just two points in their last three games. Mikel Arteta spoke to the media ahead of their clash against Leeds United and provided an update on the squad.
Mikel Arteta Confirms Saliba and Timber Are Fit as Arsenal Get Defensive Boost
William Saliba and Jurrien Timber missed their UEFA Champions League clash against FC Kairat during the week and were doubtful for the upcoming matches. The duo have been a key part of the starting XI this season, but the Gunners managed to edge out a 3-2 win over the Kazakhstan side.
Ahead of the Leeds United trip, Arteta has provided some good news to Arsenal fans by revealing that the defensive duo are fit and ready to play at Elland Road. The Spaniard said that there are no fresh injuries, while Saliba and Timber are back after recovering from their knocks, and said:
“No, we didn’t have any surprises there. Hopefully, everybody will train well today and be available for tomorrow. They [Timber and Saliba] are OK. Obviously, they have been playing a lot of minutes, they’ve been carrying a few niggles and it was a really good opportunity for us to offload them a little bit and refresh them.”
With the duo returning, the Gunners now have a fully fit senior squad at the club. Max Dowman is the only player who has been a part of the first team this season who remains on the side. The 15-year-old penned a new deal at the club this week and was not expected to be playing against Leeds United.
The other injury worry for the North London side this season has been Kai Havertz, who is reportedly dealing with a knee issue. Reports earlier this month suggested that the swelling was an issue, but Arteta has said that the German is back and is ready to start matches for them.
“He is ready. Obviously he started the other day, it’s been a long period and now we need to manage that load and the games that we’re going to select for him to start. But there was no reaction to that, I think it was super positive, you could see straightaway the impact that he can have in the team. So yes, he’s ready.”
Havertz was out for most of 2025, initially with a hamstring injury and then a knee injury at the start of this season.
