Seven players could miss Arsenal's Champions League match against Napoli due to injury, with both clubs confirming multiple absences ahead of their league phase opener.
The Gunners remain without William Saliba, who is still recovering from a back injury sustained while on international duty with France during the summer's World Cup. Cristhian Mosquera has also been nursing a muscle problem over the past week, which forced the centre-back to sit out Arsenal's Premier League victory over Chelsea at the weekend.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta hinted that the decision to leave Mosquera out of the matchday squad at Emirates Stadium was largely precautionary. "He had a muscular issue. We think it is not too much, but we need to wait and see in the next few days how it evolves," Arteta said.
Timber closing in on return
Jurrien Timber is yet to pull on an Arsenal shirt this season following minor surgery during the summer. However, he has been training with his team-mates ahead of this week's fixture.
Arteta offered an encouraging update on Timber's fitness last week when quizzed about the Netherlands international's rehabilitation. "He's in really good condition at the moment, he's been a few weeks on the pitch and has been training with us, so he's in a really good place," the Arsenal boss said.
Napoli's injury list grows
Napoli will also be missing several key figures when they host Arsenal, with Scott McTominay notably ruled out. The Serie A side confirmed on Tuesday that the former Manchester United star came through successful surgery on a minor heart problem and is expected to spend two weeks recuperating before returning to training.
"On Tuesday morning, Scott McTominay underwent an ablation procedure at Spire Manchester Hospital. The operation was a complete success," Napoli confirmed in a statement. "McTominay will rest for two weeks and then resume training."
Napoli will further be deprived of Luca Marianucci, who sustained a knee injury during pre-season and is set for a stint on the treatment table. Giovane underwent a hernia operation earlier in the summer and remains sidelined, while Alessandro Buongiorno is also unavailable owing to a knee injury.
