Arsenal Hit by Injuries Ahead of Crucial Chelsea Derby

Mikel Arteta is confronting selection challenges as two vital Arsenal players missed training ahead of the upcoming Premier League clash with Chelsea. The absences of Bruno Guimaraes and Cristhian Mosquera at Thursday's session sparked doubts about their weekend availability.

Guimaraes and Mosquera Absent in Training

During an open practice at London Colney, neither summer signing Bruno Guimaraes nor defender Cristhian Mosquera were seen, creating uncertainty around their fitness. Guimaraes, who transferred from Newcastle United for a £75 million fee, has been battling a groin issue that kept him out of Arsenal’s first league match versus Coventry City. He did return briefly, playing 19 minutes off the bench against Aston Villa on Monday.

Arteta has managed Guimaraes’ minutes carefully since his arrival, adopting a cautious approach given the midfield options available. Yet, missing such a key player against a side managed by Xabi Alonso could hamper Arsenal’s tactical plans.

Concerns Over Mosquera's Condition

The situation with Mosquera might be more troubling. The young Spanish defender had to be substituted late in the win over Aston Villa after feeling something during the match. Ezri Konsa replaced him in the 79th minute. Arteta later explained this was likely a precautionary step rather than 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.

If Mosquera cannot play, Konsa, who joined Arsenal for £51 million last month, could make his full debut at the Emirates Stadium.

Defensive Depth Under Pressure

Arsenal’s defensive concerns don’t end with Mosquera. Jurrien Timber remains doubtful for the weekend, while William Saliba continues to recover from a prolonged injury sustained during the World Cup. This puts pressure on Arteta’s squad depth early in the season.

Both Teams Start Strong

Arsenal and Chelsea both hold perfect records so far, winning their opening two Premier League games. Arsenal started with a 3-0 victory over Coventry City and followed it with a narrow 1-0 win against Aston Villa. Chelsea, meanwhile, secured thrilling wins against Fulham (3-2) and Brighton (4-3).

• Fixture: Arsenal vs Chelsea
• Date: 6 September 2026
• Time: 17:30