Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has provided an update on several players who are doubts for Sunday’s highly anticipated clash against Chelsea.
Bruno Guimaraes is among those being assessed after picking up a knock during Arsenal’s previous match against Aston Villa.
Arteta said of Guimaraes: “He had a knock against Villa in the previous game and he’s been assessed. Hopefully tomorrow he will be okay for training.”
Cristhian Mosquera also missed a training session, though Arteta was quick to downplay concerns about the defender’s fitness ahead of the weekend.
“He was more a precaution than anything else, so we’ll have to see tomorrow in the session how he feels,” Arteta confirmed.
Should Mosquera be ruled out, Ezri Konsa is ready to step in, with Arteta noting that Konsa is “certainly available in the squad” and that a selection decision will follow Saturday’s session.
Jurrien Timber is edging closer to a return after an extended spell on the sidelines, with Arteta describing the defender as being in “a really good condition at the moment.”
Arteta added that Timber has had “a few weeks on the pitch and he’s been training with us now, so he’s in a good place”, though his availability against Chelsea has not yet been confirmed.
William Saliba remains sidelined with no indication he will return any time soon, meaning Arsenal could still be stretched at the back for Sunday’s fixture.
On the Chelsea side, Xabi Alonso faces an anxious wait over the fitness of Moises Caicedo, who was substituted during their last match against Brighton with a recurring injury concern.
Alonso was cautious when asked about Caicedo’s availability, stating: “These things can happen and we need to check. Tomorrow we will make the final decision.”
Chelsea will definitely be without Marco Palestra and Jordan Henderson, while new striker Emmanuel Emegha is also expected to miss the trip to Arsenal.
The majority of Chelsea’s squad should be available, meaning Alonso could still name a near full-strength side if Caicedo passes his fitness assessment on Saturday.
Both managers will be hoping for positive news from their final training sessions before one of the biggest fixtures on the Premier League calendar this weekend.
