Arsenal Hit by Injuries Before Chelsea Clash
Mikel Arteta is dealing with selection problems as Arsenal prepare for their upcoming match against Chelsea. Two important players, Bruno Guimaraes and Cristhian Mosquera, were missing from training sessions, casting doubt over their availability for the weekend's game.
Guimaraes and Mosquera Absent From Training
Reports from The Sun revealed that during an open session at London Colney, neither Guimaraes nor Mosquera showed up. This absence has raised concerns about their readiness to play, especially as Arsenal aims to keep its perfect Premier League start intact.
Bruno Guimaraes, signed from Newcastle United in a £75 million deal this summer, has been battling a persistent groin problem. He missed Arsenal's first league match against Coventry City but made a brief 19-minute appearance against Aston Villa on Monday.
Arteta Exercises Caution With Guimaraes
The manager has been cautious about Guimaraes' playing time since he joined from the Magpies. The club seems to be taking extra care with his fitness due to other midfield options available. Still, missing him for a key fixture like the derby against Xabi Alonso's Chelsea could disrupt Arsenal's tactical approach.
Concerns Grow Over Mosquera's Fitness
Things seem more worrying with Cristhian Mosquera. The Spanish defender had to leave the field late in the match against Aston Villa, replaced by Ezri Konsa in the 79th minute. Initially, Arteta said it was a precaution rather than a serious injury.
"He’s fine, but he felt like he might have an issue, so we brought in Ezri," Arteta said after the game.
If Mosquera is ruled out on Sunday, Konsa, who recently transferred from Aston Villa for £51 million, is likely to make his home debut and fill the defensive spot.
Defensive Depth Tested Further
The defensive worries don’t stop there. Jurrien Timber is also doubtful ahead of the weekend. With William Saliba out long-term due to an injury worsened during the World Cup, Arsenal’s backline options are thin early in the season.
Both Teams Perfect So Far
Arsenal and Chelsea both have flawless records after two Premier League matches. Arsenal started with a 3-0 win over Coventry City, followed by a narrow 1-0 victory against Aston Villa. Meanwhile, Chelsea won high-scoring games against Fulham (3-2) and Brighton (4-3).
- Match: Arsenal vs Chelsea
- Date: 6 September 2026
- Kick-off Time: 17:30
