Arsenal and Aston Villa are both managing injury concerns ahead of their Premier League clash on Monday night, with as many as seven players potentially missing the fixture.
Konsa available for Gunners debut
Mikel Arteta confirmed on Friday that Ezri Konsa will be available for selection. The centre-back could face his former side for the first time since completing a £55million move earlier this month and is now set to make his Gunners debut at the ground he called home for seven seasons.
Arteta told the press that Konsa is fully fit and ready to feature. "Yeah, he's available. He's been training really well, and I think he will be available for selection," the Spaniard said.
Timber and Saliba recoveries
Jurrien Timber and William Saliba are both continuing their respective recoveries from groin and back complaints. "Jurrien is progressing really well," Arteta added. "Let's see how he ends up this week. It's the third week in a row that he's been outside and we have increased his load. So he's in the right trajectory. If everything goes well, I think next week we're going to step it up again."
On the subject of Saliba, Arteta added: "Willi, obviously, he's in a much conservative load management right now, so that's going to take a while."
Summer signing Bruno Guimaraes could also be in contention, having put in several days of pitch training. "No, no, we just managed the last few days with him," Arteta explained. "He's out on the pitch. He's been doing training sessions. But we need to manage a lot to get to Monday in the best possible condition to be able to get selected. Yes, potentially available."
Villa absentees and debutant
The hosts will be without new signings Johan Manzambi and Brian Madjo, both ruled out through injury. "Manzambi is starting to work on the field, and maybe he will need two weeks more to join us, more or less," Villa manager Unai Emery confirmed.
"Madjo has a small injury, and I think he can get progressively better and start training with us as well, but he may need some days more."
Former Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham is also unlikely to feature as he continues recovering from a minor knock. "Tammy, as well, he has a small injury, and he is going to join us again," Emery added. "Hopefully, we have strikers ready to play [soon], but this can happen."
Long-term casualty Amadou Onana remains on the sidelines with an ACL injury, while summer signing Joao Gomes is currently serving a three-match ban. Ex-Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson could make his debut following a £47.5m move from Stamford Bridge, a deal potentially rising to £65m with add-ons.
Arsenal will be looking to secure consecutive wins having coasted to a 3-0 victory over Coventry City in their Premier League opener at the Emirates Stadium last weekend.
