Arsenal injury update: Kai Havertz, Declan Rice and Piero Hincapie latest return dates

Arsenal will hope the extended international break gives Mikel Arteta an opportunity to clear up a growing injury list before the Premier League returns.

The Gunners entered the break on the back of a disappointing 3-0 defeat at Brighton, which ended their seven-game winning start to the campaign.

They do not play again until Leeds United visit the Emirates Stadium on October 10, and that gap could prove particularly valuable.

Kai Havertz, Declan Rice and Piero Hincapie have all missed international duty, while Ben White and Cristhian Mosquera are also working towards returns.

Havertz is perhaps the biggest immediate concern after suffering a muscle problem during Germany’s Nations League draw with the Netherlands.

The forward was forced off in the first half following a high challenge from Quinten Timber, the brother of Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber.

Germany subsequently confirmed Havertz had suffered a “muscle strain”, with the 27-year-old leaving the national-team camp to undergo further assessment at Arsenal.

There is optimism that the injury is not serious, although the Gunners will want the results of those tests before determining his availability.

Potential return: October 10 vs Leeds

Rice was among five players to withdraw from the England squad ahead of their Nations League fixtures.

The midfielder has dealt with several minor fitness problems over the past year, but there is currently no suggestion that his latest withdrawal is because of a significant new injury.

Instead, Arsenal appear to be using the international window to give one of Arteta’s most important players some valuable recovery time.

That should put Rice in a strong position to return when Leeds visit north London.

Potential return: October 10 vs Leeds

Hincapie was omitted from Ecuador’s squad after new manager Marcelo Gallardo confirmed the Arsenal defender was dealing with an injury.

The summer signing has started only once for the Gunners this season and was completely absent against Ipswich in the Carabao Cup.

He returned to the squad for the Brighton defeat, making the subsequent confirmation of an injury somewhat surprising.

There has been no clear indication of its severity, but the extended break provides Hincapie with almost three weeks to recover.

Potential return: October 10 vs Leeds

White has been sidelined since suffering a groin problem against Sunderland on September 12.

Arteta suggested he was close to returning before the Brighton game, although the defender ultimately missed out. Given that positive update, White should have a good chance of being available after the break.

Potential return: October 10 vs Leeds

Mosquera has missed Arsenal’s last five matches after suffering a muscle injury against Aston Villa.

There were encouraging signs at Brighton, however, as the defender travelled with the squad and watched the warm-up despite not making the matchday group.

Another two weeks of rehabilitation could put him in contention against Leeds.

Potential return: October 10 vs Leeds

William Saliba remains Arsenal’s most significant long-term absentee.

The France international has been unavailable since July because of a back injury. Specialist assessments determined that surgery was unnecessary, but Arsenal confirmed he would require an extended rehabilitation programme.

Saliba has been included in Arsenal’s Champions League squad, offering some encouragement over his prospects of featuring later in the campaign.

However, his return may not come until after the November international break.

Potential return: Winter 2026

Arsenal’s medical staff will use the remainder of the international break to assess Havertz and Hincapie while gradually reintegrating White and Mosquera.

The biggest short-term question surrounds Havertz. If he is unavailable against Leeds, Viktor Gyokeres would be the obvious candidate to lead the attack, although Arteta also has the option of using Mikel Merino in a more advanced role.

Defensively, the potential returns of White and Mosquera would be particularly important after Arsenal conceded three times at Brighton. Jurrien Timber is already back with the Netherlands squad, meaning Arteta could suddenly have considerably more defensive depth when domestic football resumes.

Saliba remains a separate case. Arsenal are taking a long-term approach with his rehabilitation and, barring a major acceleration in his recovery, the Leeds fixture is expected to come far too soon.