Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has provided the latest team news before the Gunners' Community Shield clash with Manchester City in Cardiff on Sunday
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been speaking ahead of the Community Shield
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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta hopes to have Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and Martin Zubimendi involved in Sunday's Community Shield clash against Manchester City.
All three stars have now returned to training following their World Cup exploits but their fitness will need to be managed carefully following a gruelling summer on the back of a long domestic season.
Arteta said on the trio: "Yeah they will be available, they trained today and will train tomorrow."
Saka voluntarily returned to training early last Saturday while Rice and Zubimendi were both in attendance on Wednesday for the 1-1 friendly draw against Como.
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Two players Arsenal will be missing against City, however, are defenders William Saliba (back) and Jurrien Timber (groin).
Arteta was keen to reiterate that Saliba's absence is a long-term issue after he aggravated a back problem at the World Cup with France.
Meanwhile, Timber is gradually recovering from a minor groin procedure as he finally looks to put the injury issue that saw him withdraw from the World Cup with Holland to bed.
The Arsenal head coach said: "Jurrien is progressing really well, he is on the pitch, we are ramping up certain actions. I think he is in a good trajectory. With Willy it is a more long-term injury."
When asked if Timber will be back before the international break, Arteta added: "I don't know. We need to wait and see. He needs to train with the group."
Jurrien Timber and William Saliba remain sidelined for Arsenal
Jurrien Timber and William Saliba remain sidelined for Arsenal(Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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Arsenal are actively exploring options to bolster their defence in the transfer market.
They have been back in touch with Aston Villa over a deal for Ezri Konsa but there is a £60m valuation and the Gunners are not willing to stretch that far to land the 28-year-old.
Since then, Bayer Leverkusen's Jarell Quansah has emerged as a target following his involvement with England at the World Cup.
Quansah joined the Bundesliga side last summer from Liverpool, who have matching rights but are now believed to be trying to re-sign the versatile centre-back, who can also play at right-back - like Konsa.