Mikel Arteta Faces Double Injury Setback as Key Duo Miss Training Before Chelsea Showdown

MIKEL ARTETA has been handed a blow ahead of Arsenal’s London derby against Chelsea on Sunday.

Bruno Guimaraes and were both absent from training on Thursday as preparations begin for the Emirates clash.

held an open training session at their London Colney training base and there was no sign of either Guimaraes or Mosquera in the squad.

Guimaraes, who joined from Newcastle in a £75m move this summer, has been managing a groin issue over the past few weeks.

The Brazilian missed Arsenal’s Premier League opener against Coventry with the injury, but returned to play 19 minutes off the bench against on Monday.

Arteta has been managing Guimaraes’ workload since his arrival from the Magpies this summer and the club are taking precaution over his fitness given their wealth of options in midfield.

Mosquera, meanwhile, was forced off with injury during Monday night’s 1-0 victory over Villa.

The Spanish defender was replaced by in the 79th minute, but boss Arteta hinted that the substitution was purely precautionary.

Speaking after the game, Arteta said: “He’s fine, but he was feeling like he was about to have something, and that’s why we have the bench that we have, and that’s what we have to bring in Ezri.”

Mosquera’s absence from training suggests that the injury could be worse than first feared.

If the 22-year-old is unavailable on Sunday it could mean Konsa, who arrived in a £51m deal from Villa last month, is handed his home debut against Xabi Alonso’s .

Arteta is already without , who remains sidelined for an extended period with a back injury that was exacerbated at the World Cup.

Meanwhile Jurrien Timber remains a doubt for this weekend’s London derby.

Both Arsenal and Chelsea have started the season with two league wins from two and will be hoping to lay down a marker when they face off against each other on Sunday.