Arsenal have been dealt a major fitness blow ahead of their Premier League London derby clash with Chelsea on Sunday
Mikel Arteta could have a headache for Arsenal's clash with Chelsea
Mikel Arteta could have a headache for Arsenal's clash with Chelsea
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Arsenal have been handed a difficult blow regarding some of their squad members ahead of a massive game against Chelsea this weekend. The Gunners take on their West London rivals, who have both won their opening two games of the season.
While the Gunners have been defensively solid again with two clean sheets, Chelsea have conceded five goals. However their seven that they have notched so far highlight just how dangerous they can be in attack.
The club held an open training session for broadcast rights holders on Thursday afternoon, which revealed some worrying realities, however. Both Cristhian Mosquera and Bruno Guimaraes were not present for the session.
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Mosquera had come off in the game against Aston Villa. While Arteta had claimed that it was more precautionary before the Spaniard made worse whatever he had detected, it appears his chances of featuring this Sunday have taken a knock.
“He's fine,” Arteta said. “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 what we have to bring in Ezri.”
In his absence, Ezri Konsa, the £55million signing, will therefore likely start alongside Gabriel in the heart of the Gunners’ defence. Konsa came on in place of Mosquera on Monday night and looked composed in helping keep out his former side’s late drive for an equaliser.
Guimaraes also made his debut from the bench against Villa. After suffering a muscular issue in the Community Shield, the Brazilian missed the opening day win over Chelsea.
The club football.london understands has been carefully managing the players’ load this summer. They will not want to take any risks, especially when Declan Rice can be joined by either Myles Lewis-Skelly or Martin Zubimendi in midfield this weekend.
Arteta will face the media on Friday, where he will be quizzed on the latest team news. Guimaraes and Mosquera then have potential sessions on Friday and Saturday before the match to make a recovery.