Arsenal Hit by Injuries Before Chelsea Clash

Arsenal Faces Injury Setback Ahead of Chelsea Match

Mikel Arteta is dealing with selection challenges as Arsenal prepare for the London derby against Chelsea. Two key players, Bruno Guimaraes and Cristhian Mosquera, missed training on Thursday, casting doubt over their participation in the weekend game.

Guimaraes and Mosquera Absent from Training

During a session at London Colney, neither Guimaraes nor Mosquera were present. This raised concerns about their fitness ahead of the Premier League encounter. Guimaraes, who joined Arsenal from Newcastle United in a £75 million transfer this summer, has been battling a persistent groin injury. He sat out the opener against Coventry City but managed a brief 19-minute substitute appearance against Aston Villa on Monday.

Arteta Monitors Guimaraes Closely

The manager has been cautious with Guimaraes' workload since his arrival, taking a careful approach given the squad's midfield options. Losing such an important player for a crucial fixture like the derby versus Xabi Alonso's Chelsea would impact Arsenal's tactical options.

Concerns Over Mosquera's Fitness

Mosquera's situation seems more worrying. The Spanish defender had to leave the field late in the match against Aston Villa, replaced by Ezri Konsa in the 79th minute. Arteta explained the substitution was a precaution rather than due to a serious issue.

"He’s fine, but he felt something coming on, which is why we have the bench options and brought in Ezri," Arteta said post-match.

If Mosquera is unavailable on Sunday, Konsa could make his first full home appearance for Arsenal after his £51 million transfer from Aston Villa last month.

Defensive Depth Tested

Arsenal’s defensive worries extend further, with Jurrien Timber also doubtful for the weekend. With William Saliba out for a long period due to an injury aggravated during the World Cup, Arteta’s defensive resources are stretched early in the season.

Strong Starts for Both London Sides

Both Arsenal and Chelsea have started the Premier League campaign perfectly, winning their first two matches. Arsenal opened with a 3-0 victory over Coventry City and followed up with a narrow 1-0 win against Aston Villa. Chelsea has impressed with high-scoring wins, beating Fulham 3-2 and Brighton 4-3.

• Arsenal vs Chelsea
• Date: 6 Sept 2026
• Time: 17:30
• Competition: Premier League