Arsenal Hit by Two Injuries Ahead of Chelsea Clash

Mikel Arteta is dealing with selection troubles as Arsenal prepare for their London derby against Chelsea. Two important players, Bruno Guimaraes and Cristhian Mosquera, missed training on Thursday, casting doubt over their availability for the weekend fixture at the Emirates.

Guimaraes and Mosquera Absent from Training

During an open session at London Colney, neither Bruno Guimaraes nor Cristhian Mosquera were seen on the pitch. The pair’s absence has sparked concerns about whether they will be fit to play. Guimaraes, who joined Arsenal from Newcastle United for £75 million in the summer, has been dealing with a persistent groin problem. He missed the Premier League opener against Coventry City but returned briefly as a substitute for 19 minutes in the win over Aston Villa on Monday.

Arteta Managing Guimaraes’ Fitness Carefully

Since signing from the Magpies, Arteta has been cautious with Guimaraes’ playing time. The club prefers to manage his workload closely given other midfield options available. Still, missing such a key midfielder for a major match like the derby against Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea would disrupt Arsenal’s tactical setup.

More Worrying Signs About Mosquera

The situation with Mosquera looks more troubling. The Spanish defender had to be substituted late in the victory over Aston Villa, replaced by Ezri Konsa in the 79th minute. Initially, Arteta suggested it was a precautionary move rather than due to a serious injury.

"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 in Ezri," Arteta said after the match.

If Mosquera can’t play on Sunday, Konsa could make his home debut at the Emirates. Konsa arrived last month from Aston Villa for £51 million and is the most likely choice to fill the defensive gap.

Defensive Depth Tested

Arsenal’s defensive problems might not stop with Mosquera. Jurrien Timber’s fitness remains uncertain ahead of the derby. With William Saliba out long-term after worsening a World Cup injury, Arteta’s squad depth is under pressure early in the season.

Both Teams Start Season Strong

Arsenal and Chelsea have both won their first two Premier League matches. Arsenal began with a 3-0 win over Coventry City followed by a narrow 1-0 victory against Aston Villa. Chelsea impressed with high-scoring wins, beating Fulham 3-2 and edging Brighton 4-3.

• Date: 6 September 2026
• Kickoff Time: 17:30
• Fixture: Arsenal vs Chelsea
• Competition: Premier League