Arsenal injury update: Arteta gives verdict on Timber, Saliba and Guimaraes before Chelsea

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says Bruno Guimaraes is expected to return to training on Saturday after suffering a knock in the 1-0 win at Aston Villa, while a decision on Jurrien Timber’s involvement against Chelsea will be made after the final session before Sunday’s Premier League meeting.

Arsenal host Chelsea at Emirates Stadium in the third round of the Premier League, with Arteta also providing updates on Christian Mosquera and William Saliba during his pre-match news conference.

“Bruno Guimaraes suffered a knock in the last match against Aston Villa and underwent an examination. We hope he will be ready to train tomorrow, Saturday,” said Arteta.

Mosquera was taken off during the victory over Aston Villa, but Arteta suggested the defender’s substitution was primarily precautionary.

“Christian Mosquera’s withdrawal was more precautionary than anything else, and we have to see tomorrow in training how he is,” he said.

Timber has been training with the squad after spending several weeks working on the pitch, and the Arsenal manager said the Netherlands international is currently in a positive condition.

“Jurrien Timber is in a very good condition at the moment. As I said, he has been on the pitch for several weeks and is now training with us, so he is in a good position,” Arteta added.

Asked whether Timber could play against Chelsea, Arteta replied: “We will make the decision tomorrow after training.”

Saliba’s return remains less certain. Arteta said Arsenal could not yet specify how many weeks the France international might be unavailable, because his recovery is still at an early stage and will depend on how he responds to increased exertion.

“As for William Saliba, we do not know exactly how many weeks he will be out, because it depends on the recovery process at the beginning, and that is slightly different,” said Arteta.

“We know that we need to respect certain deadlines. His progress has been very positive over the past few weeks, but we have to wait and see how he responds when he starts to make more effort.”

Arteta also spoke about his relationship with Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso and the club’s signing of Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.

“I spoke to Xabi Alonso before, and it was in a very happy atmosphere, as I said. It is amazing because, of course, we have the history that brings us together,” Arteta said.

“The same applies to Andoni Iraola, the Liverpool manager. To face each other at this level, with the responsibility of leading some of the biggest clubs in the country, is something very nice.”

Arteta said he was not surprised by Chelsea’s move for Martinez, whom he knows well from his time at Arsenal.

“Of course, I was not surprised. I know Emiliano well, and he was a top-class goalkeeper here with us. It is obvious what he will add to the team, and I think it is a very smart signing,” he said.

The Arsenal boss also paid tribute to Gabriel Martinelli following the Brazilian’s departure from the club, highlighting the forward’s influence, ambition and contribution to the team’s development.

“I think the impact he left at the club, his ambition, his love of the game and the way he helped us to develop and achieve our objectives are all very important. He was a pivotal player,” Arteta said.

Arteta’s side began the campaign with a 3-0 win over Coventry City before beating Aston Villa 1-0. Arsenal won the Premier League last season under Arteta, finishing seven points clear of second-placed Manchester City.