Arsenal could receive a significant midfield lift before Monday night’s trip to Aston Villa as Bruno Guimaraes continues his recovery from the groin problem that ruled him out against Coventry City.
The £75million summer signing has not played since being withdrawn during Arsenal’s Community Shield victory over Manchester City, but Mikel Arteta has already played down initial fears of a lengthy absence.
Jurrien Timber and William Saliba remain further away from returning as Arsenal prepare for their first Premier League away game of the season.
Bruno Guimaraes faces Aston Villa fitness decision
Guimaraes suffered the problem during his competitive Arsenal debut against Manchester City and was subsequently left out of the squad for the 3-0 victory over Coventry.
Initial reporting suggested he could miss several weeks.
Arteta offered a considerably more encouraging assessment after the opening league win, insisting he did not expect the midfielder’s absence to be measured in weeks.
ReadArsenal’s previous Bruno Guimaraes injury update identified the Aston Villa fixture as a possible return opportunity.
Arsenal have had 10 days between their first two Premier League matches, providing Guimaraes with additional recovery time before Monday.
No decision on his availability has yet been confirmed.
That makes Arteta’s next injury update particularly important, with Guimaraes potentially in line for his Premier League debut if he returns to full training before the trip to Villa Park.
Reuters reported before the Coventry game that the midfielder had been progressing from the injury before ultimately missing the match.
Arsenal coped comfortably without him, with Declan Rice, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Martin Odegaard starting in midfield.
Villa should provide a significantly different challenge away from home.
Timber and Saliba remain unavailable
Arsenal are unlikely to receive the same positive news regarding Timber and Saliba.
Timber has been dealing with a persistent groin problem and has yet to return to full group training.
Arteta indicated earlier this month that the Netherlands international remained several weeks away, meaning Monday’s game is expected to arrive too soon.
Saliba faces a considerably longer recovery.
The France international suffered a back injury during the World Cup and has since begun a managed rehabilitation programme, with Arsenal expecting his absence to be measured in months rather than weeks.
ReadArsenal’s latest injury roundup contains the full recovery picture for Guimaraes, Timber and Saliba.
The defensive absences helped accelerate Arsenal’s move for Ezri Konsa, who joined from Aston Villa in a deal worth up to £55million.
Monday could now provide the England international with an immediate reunion.
Arteta faces a decision over handing Konsa his Arsenal debut against his former club after he was not involved against Coventry.
Aston Villa have injury and suspension concerns of their own
Unai Emery also has availability problems to manage.
Joao Gomes will miss the game through suspension after being sent off in Villa’s 4-0 defeat at Brighton.
Ollie Watkins represents a more encouraging development for the hosts.
The striker has returned to training after missing the Brighton defeat, although uncertainty remains over both his availability and his future before the transfer window closes.
ReadArsenal reported on Watkins’ return to Aston Villa training earlier this week.
For Arsenal, however, the biggest decision remains Guimaraes.
Timber and Saliba are not expected back for Villa Park, while Konsa could make his debut against the club he left only days ago.
Getting Guimaraes back alongside them would give Arteta another major option as Arsenal attempt to follow their comfortable opening victory with three points on the road.
Comments.
Loading comments…