Arsenal will travel to the West Midlands to face Aston Villa in the Premier League on Monday night as their Premier League title defence continues
Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta gave an injury update on his Arsenal stars during a press conference(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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Arsenal are still managing several injury concerns ahead of their first Premier League away trip of the season against Aston Villa, with Mikel Arteta providing an update on Friday and confirming that Ezri Konsa will be available for selection.
The centre‑back could face his former club for the first time since completing his £55m move earlier this month. He is now in line to make his Gunners debut at Villa Park, the stadium he called home for seven seasons.
Arteta told reporters that Konsa is fully fit and ready to be involved. "Yeah, he's available. He's been training really well, and I think he will be available for selection," the Spaniard said.
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However, Jurrien Timber and William Saliba are still working their way back to full fitness from groin and back injuries respectively.
" Jurrien is progressing really well," Arteta added. "Let's see how he ends up this week. It's the third week in a row that he's been outside and we have increased his load.
"So he's in the right trajectory. If everything goes well, I think next week we're going to step it up again.
On Saliba, Arteta added: " Willi, obviously, he's in a much conservative load management right now, so that's going to take a while."
Summer signing Bruno Guimaraes could also be available, having spent the past few days training out on the pitch.
"No, no, we just managed the last few days with him," Arteta explained. "He's out on the pitch. He's been doing training sessions.
"But we need to manage a lot to get to Monday in the best possible condition to be able to get selected. Yes, potentially available."
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The hosts will be without new signings Johan Manzambi and Brian Madjo , who have both been ruled out.
"Manzambi is starting to work on the field, and maybe he will need two weeks more to join us, more or less," the Villa boss Unai Emery confirmed.
"Madjo has a small injury, and I think he can get progressively better and start training with us as well, but he may need some days more."
Former Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham is also not expected to feature as he continues to recover from a minor injury.
"Tammy, as well, he has a small injury, and he is going to join us again," Emery added. "Hopefully, we have strikers ready to play [soon], but this can happen."
Long‑term absentee Amadou Onana continues his recovery from an ACL injury, while summer signing Joao Gomes is currently serving a three‑game ban.
Ex‑Blues forward Nicolas Jackson could be handed his debut after completing a £47.5m move from Stamford Bridge - a deal that could rise to £65m with add‑ons.
Arsenal will look to secure their second successive win after cruising to a 3-0 victory over Coventry City in their Premier League opener at the Emirates Stadium last weekend.
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