Arsenal Round-Up, Tuesday 6th October: Konsa Injury Latest and Leeds Build-Up Dominate the Agenda
Arsenal's preparations for Saturday's Premier League return against Leeds United are the main focus this evening, with Mikel Arteta facing a number of fitness calls. England boss Thomas Tuchel confirmed that Ezri Konsa picked up a knock during the 7-0 win over Croatia and will head back to his club for further assessment, leaving him a doubt for the weekend (Evening Standard) (Football.London). Football.London report that as many as ten players could be touch and go for the Leeds clash, with two wingers having already withdrawn from their respective international squads (Football.London). Elsewhere, Football.London also run through the latest return dates for the likes of Dowman, Tzolis and Havertz as Arteta assesses his options (Football.London), while another piece suggests the manager could in fact get a triple injury boost in time for kick-off, painting a more optimistic picture for what the site calls Arsenal's "dream week" (Football.London).
On the international front there was happier news out on the continent. Viktor Gyokeres continued his rich vein of form by scoring the winner as Sweden beat Romania 1-0 in the Nations League, with Football.London noting he returns to north London full of confidence ahead of the Leeds game (Football.London). Riccardo Calafiori also got on the scoresheet, netting his first senior Italy goal as they beat Turkey 3-1, a result Arsenal.com also touched on (Arsenal.com) (Football.London). Former Italy boss Roberto Mancini had warm words for the defender afterwards, in comments Football.London say will have pleased Arteta (Football.London). Calafiori also gave his verdict on the Ballon d'Or this week, with three Arsenal players among the nominees (Football.London).
On the transfer front, Football.London report that two unnamed European giants are keeping an eye on an Arsenal star ahead of the Leeds fixture, with scouts set to run the rule over the player this weekend (Football.London). BBC Sport add that Noni Madueke has admirers in Spain and Italy, with Juventus and Atletico Madrid both credited with interest (BBC Sport), and a separate Football.London piece speculates that cashing in on Madueke could help fund two significant incoming deals (Football.London). Meanwhile, Arsenal are said to have been handed a boost in any pursuit of Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez, with a potential swap arrangement reportedly back on the table (Football.London), and the Evening Standard's transfer live blog mentions Arsenal preparing a move for a striker among a host of other deals across the division (Evening Standard). Away from the current squad, Como's president has addressed Cesc Fabregas's contract situation amid talk of a possible return to Arsenal or Chelsea, stating the club won't stand in his way and don't require compensation to let him leave (Evening Standard).
In other news, former forward Willian has given a frank account of his difficult spell at the club, revealing he wanted to leave within three months and telling his agent he'd made a mistake after being sold a dream that wasn't quite as advertised (Football.London). On the women's side, The Guardian's podcast and BBC Sport both reflect on a tough start to the WSL campaign for Arsenal as Manchester City continue to set the pace (The Guardian) (BBC Sport). Finally, fans can begin securing tickets for the Champions League return to the Emirates next week, with Lille due at the ground on October 13 (Football.London), while Arsenal.com confirm how supporters can watch the Leeds game on TV (Arsenal.com), and both Bruno Guimaraes' September Goal of the Month award and Martin Odegaard's men's Player of the Month gong were announced (Arsenal.com) (Arsenal.com).
This round-up is written with the help of AI, using only the day's headlines from the publishers credited above. Each point links to the original report — tap the source name to read it in full.