LONDON -- Kai Havertz and Ezri Konsa have been named in Arsenal's starting lineup for the visit of Leeds United despite withdrawing from their national team camps with injury in the recent Nations League window.
Havertz went off after 30 minutes in Germany's first game of the international window against Netherlands, and subsequently returned to Arsenal for further treatment.
Konsa started England's games against Spain and Croatia but withdrew from the squad ahead of the home clash against Czechia.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta had kept his cards close to his chest when discussing their fitness in his news conference on Friday.
"With Kai, he had a muscular injury, so I spoke to Jurgen [Klopp] and immediately they sent the player back, as is normal, " Arteta said.
"Ezri has been carrying some issues as well and we had good communication with the England camp about that."
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Havertz's fitness concerns were expected to open a spot in the starting lineup for Viktor Gyökeres, who scored four times for Sweden in the recent Nations League window.
However, the Swede has to again settle for a role on the bench as his wait for a first league start goes on.
Declan Rice also starts for Arsenal after sitting out England's recent spate of games, while Myles Lewis-Skelly also returns to the starting lineup after being restricted to a bench role in their previous league game against Brighton.
Noni Madueke has been deployed on the left wing ahead of Eberechi Eze, with Christos Tzolis sidelined with injury.
