Arsenal handed triple injury boost as Mikel Arteta prepares for Leeds clash

Arsenal have received a timely triple injury boost ahead of their Premier League return against Leeds United, with Ben White, Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie all returning to training.

The defensive trio were spotted back at London Colney as Mikel Arteta’s side began preparations for Saturday’s clash at the Emirates Stadium.

Their returns come at an important moment for Arsenal, who are preparing for a demanding run of nine matches in just 27 days.

White and Mosquera have both been recovering from hamstring injuries.

White missed one match with his problem, while Mosquera had been unavailable for five games. Hincapie was fit enough to make the bench during Arsenal’s 3-0 defeat at Brighton but has now returned to full training following a muscle issue.

The additional defensive options will be particularly welcome for Arteta because William Saliba remains sidelined with a long-term injury.

Saliba is reportedly targeting a return in November, although Arteta has already stressed that Arsenal will not rush his recovery.

“He is in rest mode at the moment,” Arteta said.

“He had to do almost nothing, an aggravated injury, so it's going to take some time to heal.”

The news is less encouraging regarding Christos Tzolis.

The Arsenal attacker suffered a knock during Greece’s 2-2 draw with the Netherlands and is reportedly expected to spend around three weeks on the sidelines.

That would rule him out of several important fixtures during Arsenal’s packed October schedule.

The Gunners face Leeds before hosting Lille in the Champions League just three days later. Matches against Nottingham Forest, Bayern Munich, Everton, Fleetwood Town, Liverpool, Slavia Prague and Hull City then follow.

Squad depth could therefore prove crucial.

Arsenal will also be looking for a reaction after suffering their first defeat of the season against Brighton.

Arteta’s side had won their opening six matches across all competitions before the 3-0 loss.

“We need to feel the pain,” Arteta said.

“We need to take this lesson very, very seriously because it's going to happen.”

With White, Mosquera and Hincapie now back in training, Arteta has received three important reinforcements at an ideal time.

Arsenal host Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, October 10, as they attempt to respond immediately to their 3-0 defeat at Brighton.

Arteta will now assess White, Mosquera and Hincapie before deciding whether they are ready to return to competitive action.

With Lille arriving in the Champions League only three days later and a relentless run of fixtures to follow, having all three defenders available again could prove particularly valuable.