Arsenal return to Premier League action against Leeds United on Saturday with Mikel Arteta’s champions needing an immediate response.

The Gunners went into the international break on the back of a painful 3-0 defeat at Brighton.

That result ended their perfect start to the league season and allowed Man City to move three points clear at the top.

A home game would usually look like the ideal chance to recover, but Leeds are unlikely to arrive at the Emirates simply hoping to keep the score down.

Daniel Farke’s side sit fifth after taking two wins and three draws from their opening five league matches. They remain unbeaten and have defended with real discipline, making this a far more dangerous fixture than it first appeared.

Arsenal must therefore rediscover their speed and control in possession.

Brighton stopped them from building any rhythm before the break, while Leeds have already shown that they can stay compact and frustrate stronger squads.

Arteta’s preparations have also been complicated by injuries picked up during the international period.

Kai Havertz was forced out of Germany’s meeting with the Netherlands after suffering a muscle problem and returned to London for further checks.

He is expected to miss the Leeds game, leaving Arsenal without a forward who gives their attack a useful mixture of movement, height and intelligence.

Havertz has regularly helped the Gunners connect midfield with attack, and can occupy centre-backs, drop into deeper areas and create room for Bukayo Saka and the other wide players to move inside.

His absence could open the door for Viktor Gyökeres to lead the line from the start.

The Sweden international has had to settle for a supporting role in the Premier League so far, much to his apparent detest, but this is a clear opportunity to force his way into Arteta’s plans.

Mikel Merino also offers an emergency option, although Arsenal will want a natural striker to stretch Leeds' resolute backline.

There has at least been some encouraging news concerning Havertz.

Arsenal receive encouraging Kai Havertz injury update before Leeds clash

Insider HandOfArsenal reports that there is now relief inside the club following the initial assessment of his injury.

Early concern that the problem could keep the German out for an extended spell is said to have eased, gifting Arteta a major boost.

That doesn't mean Havertz is ready to return immediately, and Arsenal have not publicly provided a firm recovery date, but the update is far more positive than the first reports which followed his early departure from international duty.

Arsenal will naturally handle the 27-year-old carefully, as Havertz has previously experienced a serious hamstring injury, so rushing him back for one match would make little sense when Arteta needs him across a long domestic and European campaign.

The key will be how he responds to treatment.

Avoiding a major injury would be a significant boost for a squad which has already collected several fitness concerns early in the season.

For now, Arteta must concentrate on Leeds without him.

Arsenal need to prove the Brighton result was an isolated bad afternoon, but Farke’s unbeaten side will test their patience.

A convincing home victory would restart the champions’ momentum, while the positive Havertz update should ensure his absence does not cast such a large shadow over the weeks ahead.