Mikel Arteta has provided a team news and injury update ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League clash with Chelsea, including the latest on five of his first team players.
The Gunners head into gameweek 3 having won each of their opening two Premier League matches. The defending champions opened up with a 3-0 victory over newly-promoted Coventry City before edging past Aston Villa 1-0 at Villa Park last weekend.
Arteta will now pit his wits against compatriot Xabi Alonso when Chelsea travel to the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon, but the Arsenal boss could be without big-money summer signing Bruno Guimaraes for the game.
The Brazilian international made his debut for Arsenal during the win at Villa, coming off the bench for the final 20 minutes. However, Guimaraes picked up a knock during his late cameo and will need to be assessed before his availability for Sunday is decided.
Another doubt for this weekend’s action is Cristhian Mosquera after he limped off with an apparent thigh issue against Villa in the second half. Arteta says his withdrawal was more of a ‘precaution’ but Mosquera will still need to be checked by the clubs medical staff to see if he’s fit to face Chelsea on Sunday.
Konsa ready to go
Ezri Konsa replaced Mosquera in the 78th minute at Villa Park to make his debut against his former club following his move to Arsenal last month. The England international is available to make his full debut should he be needed.
Arteta told Arsenal.com a
“[Bruno] had a knock against Villa in the previous game and he’s being assessed. Hopefully [Saturday], he will be okay for training.”
“For Cristhian, it was more precaution than anything else, so we’ll have to see in the session [Saturday] how he feels,”
“Ezri is certainly available in the squad, so we’ll see when we make our selection.”
Arteta also provided the latest on the fitness of Jurrien Timber. The Dutchman is yet to feature this season after missing the World Cup in the summer with a groin issue that hampered him during the closing stages of last season.
The Arsenal boss says Timber is now in a ‘really good’ place having returned to full training…
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