**Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has played down concerns that Cristhian Mosquera picked up an injury against Aston Villa.**
The Spaniard went to ground and was replaced by Ezri Konsa with just over 10 minutes to go during the [**1-0 win on Monday night**](https://goonernews.com/blog/arsenal-player-ratings-aston-villa-3/). Asked about the player’s fitness after the match, Arteta said he left the pitch as a precaution:
“He’s fine, but he was feeling like he was about to have something, and that’s why we have the bench that we have, and that’s why we had to bring Ezri in.”
Mosquera is still a major injury doubt for the match against Chelsea this weekend. No risks will be taken with his fitness if he has a tight hamstring or another muscular problem, which could be aggravated if he plays too soon.
**Expected Return Date – Saturday 12th September vs Sunderland (a)**
Declan Rice
-----------
The 27-year-old limped off against Villa, although there has been no word on whether he has picked up an injury.
Rice has had issues with his hamstring over the last six months. He has been suffering nerve pain, which means he hasn’t always been 100% fit.
There isn’t any suggestion that the problem has resurfaced, and this latest (possible) injury may be entirely unrelated.
It may simply be a knock that Rice can shake off quickly, and Arteta will likely be quizzed on the midfielder’s situation later this week.
**Expected Return Date – Unknown**
Jurrien Timber
--------------
Arteta has said that the Dutchman is making good progress as he bids to get back to full fitness
Timber missed pre-season and the first three games of the new campaign after undergoing surgery on a persistent groin problem. His comeback is pencilled in for later this month.
**Expected Return Date – September**
William Saliba
--------------
The centre-half has not started rehabilitation, with Arteta stating last week that he is currently in “conservative load management.”
In plain English, that means Saliba is resting. The hope is he can step up his recovery over the next few weeks, but we have to emphasise that there can be plenty of complications with back injuries.
**Expected Return Date – October/November**