Thomas Tuchel’s injury update gives England and Arsenal a timely boost

On a bright Friday at HNK Rijeka, Thomas Tuchel stepped onto the training pitch to deliver an injury update that gives England and Arsenal a timely boost ahead of the trip to Croatia.

Konsa’s England setback and recovery

Ezri Konsa missed England’s 2‑0 win over the Czech Republic after suffering a minor issue in the aftermath of the 3‑2 defeat to Spain, a match he started. He sat on the bench as an unused substitute but was not ruled out for long. The defender returned to full training on Friday, changing the picture for the squad.

Tuchel confirmed that Konsa completed the full session, saying “It seems that Ezri Konsa is back.” He added that the training “is of course a lot of hope for tomorrow, because he is a key player for us.” The news arrives just in time for the Saturday fixture.

The update also revealed a setback for left‑back Nico O’Reilly. The Manchester City defender left camp to receive treatment and will miss the clash with Croatia as well as next Tuesday’s return game against the Czechs. “He unfortunately had to leave camp to get treatment as soon as possible,” Tuchel said, noting his discomfort made it too painful to continue.

Arsenal’s defensive concerns ahead of Leeds

With O’Reilly unavailable, Tuchel highlighted competition on the right side of the centre‑back pairing and suggested Marc Guehi should be ready to start. Guehi’s form gives Arsenal a clear option as they prepare for the upcoming Leeds United visit after the international break.

Konsa arrived from Aston Villa for £51 million this summer, so any fitness question is closely monitored. Mikel Arteta will be eager to have the defender available for the Leeds clash, adding further importance to Tuchel’s update.

England now heads to Croatia with a healthier back line, while Arsenal can plan its defensive set‑up with greater certainty. The twin pieces of news tighten the squad’s options ahead of two demanding fixtures.