Arsenal and Chelsea both face late selection decisions ahead of their Premier League meeting at Emirates Stadium this weekend, with as many as eight players potentially missing the match.
Mikel Arteta and Xabi Alonso said their teams' final training sessions on Saturday would determine who makes their matchday squads. Arsenal could be without up to five first-team squad members after several players picked up knocks during their 1-0 win away to Aston Villa on Monday night.
Arsenal's injury concerns
Bruno Guimaraes is among those whose fitness remains uncertain after appearing as a substitute at Villa Park. Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Friday, Arteta said: "Yeah, he had a knock against Villa. He's being assessed, but probably tomorrow (Saturday) he'll be OK for training."
Cristhian Mosquera was forced off clutching his thigh before Ezri Konsa came on to make his Gunners debut against his former club. Arteta said of the substitution: "It was more precaution than anything else. So we'll have to see tomorrow (Saturday) in the session to see how he feels."
Declan Rice was also seen limping as Martin Zubimendi replaced him with five minutes remaining. However, the England international was back in training on Thursday and was not mentioned by Arteta during his pre-match briefing. Jurrien Timber has also returned to training and could feature in the matchday squad.
Saliba's recovery and Chelsea's doubts
William Saliba, however, faces a longer spell on the sidelines. Arteta acknowledged: "We don't really know the number of weeks Wilo is going to be out because it's about a healing process and everything is a bit different. We know we have to respect certain timings. The progression has been really positive in the last few weeks, but we need to wait and see how that one reacts when we start to put some load into it."
As for Chelsea, Moises Caicedo's availability is causing concern for Alonso. Speaking during his press conference on Friday, the manager said: "We will check tomorrow (Saturday), as tomorrow is the last decision for the squad on Sunday." Marco Palestra remains another absentee, though Alonso did not refer to the summer arrival during his press conference.
Speaking on Wednesday at the Gran Gala del Calcio, held inside Milan's Teatro alla Scala, while collecting an award for making the Serie A Team of the Season, Palestra said: "I'm fine, it's still a few days away, but I feel much better." He was absent from training with his teammates on Thursday, however.
Jordan Henderson is also set to be absent. Alonso acknowledged last week that they are still awaiting confirmation that he has been given "the green light to play soon."
