Bruno Guimaraes, Ezri Konsa and Jurrien Timber injury updates from Mikel Arteta | Football

There could be Premier League debuts for Arsenal on Monday night for Ezri Konsa and Bruno Guimaraes, says manager Mikel Arteta.

Neither summer signing was involved in the season’s curtain-raiser as the Gunners beat Coventry City 3-0 last week.

Clearly their absence didn’t hold the team back as they secured a comfortable win, but both could be in the squad when the champions travel to take on Aston Villa on Monday.

Centre-back Konsa sounds certain to be in the squad, with Arteta saying: ‘He is training really well and available for selection.’

As for Brazil international Guimaraes, he is not so certain, but is closing in on a return, with the manager explaining: ‘We just managed the last few days with him. He has been out on the pitch doing training sessions.

‘We have just been managing the load. He is potentially available.’

The midfielder did start in the Community Shield on August 16, playing the first half, but has been dealing with a minor thigh strain since.

If Konsa does make his debut on Monday night it will be against the club he has just left. On the prospect of the defender being booed by the home fans, Arteta said: ‘I hope so. I don’t know but it’s not down to us.’

Jurrien Timber is another sidelined Gunners star, but he will not be back for their next game due to his groin problem.

‘Jurrien is progressing really well,’ said Arteta of the Dutchman.

‘It is the third week in a row that we have increased his load. If it all goes well, we can step it up next week.’

The only other injury headache Arteta is dealing with is William Saliba, who remains out for some time due to his back problem.

‘Willy is going to take a while,’ was the manager’s latest update on the defender’s fitness.

The Frenchman has been a key player for the Gunners in recent seasons, but Cristhian Mosquera has deputised impressively and Konsa is now another option to partner Gabriel in the heart of defence.

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