Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Ezri Konsa will be available for selection ahead of Monday's Premier League clash at Aston Villa, the Gunners' first away game of the season.
The centre-back could face his former club for the first time since completing a £55m move earlier this month and is poised to make his Arsenal debut at the ground he called home for seven seasons.
Arteta told reporters that Konsa is fully fit and ready to be involved. "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 still recovering
Jurrien Timber and William Saliba remain on the road to recovery from groin and back problems respectively.
"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."
Regarding Saliba, Arteta added: "Willi, obviously, he's in a much conservative load management right now, so that's going to take a while."
Bruno Guimaraes could feature
Summer capture Bruno Guimaraes could also be in the frame, having completed several days of training on the pitch.
"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's injury list
The hosts will be without new recruits Johan Manzambi and Brian Madjo, both of whom have been 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 boss 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 his rehabilitation 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 absentee Amadou Onana remains sidelined with an ACL injury, while summer acquisition Joao Gomes is currently serving a three-game suspension.
Ex-Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson could be handed his debut after completing a £47.5m switch from Stamford Bridge, a deal that could climb to £65m with add-ons.
Arsenal will be aiming to chalk up back-to-back victories having cruised to a 3-0 triumph over Coventry City in their Premier League curtain-raiser at the Emirates Stadium last weekend.
