Arsenal have received mixed injury news before Wednesday’s Champions League opener against Napoli, with Jurrien Timber and Bruno Guimaraes training but Cristhian Mosquera absent from Tuesday’s session.
Mikel Arteta’s side travel to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona for their first European match of the season after Sunday’s 2-1 victory over Chelsea.
Mosquera now appears increasingly doubtful for the trip to Italy, while Timber has taken another significant step towards his return.
William Saliba remains Arsenal’s clearest confirmed absentee.
Cristhian Mosquera misses Arsenal training before Napoli
Mosquera was not involved in Arsenal’s open training session on Tuesday, according to Arseblog News.
The defender was forced off during Arsenal’s victory at Aston Villa after suffering what Arteta described as a muscular issue.
Arteta initially suggested the problem was not thought to be serious, but Mosquera subsequently missed Sunday’s win over Chelsea.
His absence from training now puts his involvement against Napoli in further doubt.
Ezri Konsa started alongside Gabriel Magalhaes against Chelsea and would be the obvious candidate to retain his place if Mosquera is unavailable.
The summer signing impressed on his first Arsenal start and gives Arteta valuable cover during Saliba’s longer absence.
Jurrien Timber trains ahead of Champions League opener
There was more positive news surrounding Timber.
The Netherlands international was involved again after returning to first-team training following the groin problem that required minor surgery during the summer.
Timber has not yet featured competitively this season and was left out against Chelsea despite making strong progress.
Tuesday’s involvement does not guarantee that he will play in Naples, but it increases the possibility of Arteta including him in the travelling squad.
His return would be particularly useful given Arsenal’s current defensive availability.
Our Arsenal predicted XI against Napoli will be updated again once Arteta provides his final team-news assessment.
Bruno Guimaraes back in training
Bruno Guimaraes was also involved in Tuesday’s session.
The £75million summer arrival has been managed carefully after suffering another knock following his substitute appearance at Aston Villa.
Guimaraes made the bench against Chelsea but was not used, leaving him without unnecessary minutes three days before Arsenal’s Champions League opener.
His participation in training is another encouraging indication that he is available for selection against Napoli.
Arteta must now decide whether to bring Guimaraes back into the starting midfield or continue with the combination that defeated Chelsea.
William Saliba remains unavailable
Saliba remains sidelined with the back injury he suffered during the summer.
The France international is undergoing a managed rehabilitation programme, with surgery not required, but Arsenal have not provided a firm date for his return.
Saliba has still been named in Arsenal’s Champions League squad, meaning he can return during the league phase once fit.
Arsenal’s full 2026/27 Champions League fixture guide includes all eight league-phase matches and the competition’s qualification format.
Arteta is due to speak ahead of the match on Tuesday evening, when further clarification on Mosquera and Timber should arrive.
For now, Mosquera is the biggest fresh concern, while Timber and Guimaraes have both provided Arsenal with encouraging news before the trip to Naples.
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